Iran’s army warns any new US attack would spread war wider
The warning came amid renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent fighting from resuming, including a visit by Qatari mediators to Tehran.
Iran's military has issued a stark warning that any new assault by the United States would escalate the conflict far beyond the region. This caution was expressed on Saturday following threats from both America and Israel to launch further military actions amid their upcoming elections.
The Iranian army's stern statement was made by Mohammad Akraminia, an Iranian army spokesman, on the social media platform X. He emphasized that if President Biden once again pursues regional interventions driven by Zionist interests, the war's impact could extend to a much larger geographical area.
Meanwhile, efforts to prevent a resumption of hostilities are underway. Qatari mediators are actively engaged in Tehran, while US Vice-President Kamala Harris reportedly sent a letter to Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei. However, the talks have not yet produced a lasting agreement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also weighed in on Saturday, reiterating Iran's stance that its powerful armed forces would retaliate against anyone who dares harm the Iranian people.
The potential for escalation comes against the backdrop of the US holding midterm elections on Tuesday. These polls could significantly influence the direction of the war, which has been unpopular among American voters due to rising energy costs linked to the conflict. Israel also recently concluded its legislative elections on Tuesday, with the right-wing prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing a significant challenge to his government.
Tensions began to flare in late February when US-Israeli strikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and multiple high-ranking military figures. Iran retaliated by targeting US interests across the Middle East and Israel. The conflict has since intensified, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for energy exports that Iran has blocked since the war's onset. In retaliation, the US has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports to pressure the nation's economy.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
