{
  "id": 6425458,
  "title": "Middle East on brink of World War III, warns Iranian lawmaker among escalating tensions - report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/middle-east-on-brink-of-world-war-iii-warns-iranian-lawmaker-among",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T14:38:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-908122"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Iranian lawmaker Kamran Ghazanfari has warned that the Middle East is \"practically on the brink of World War III\" amid escalating tensions. Ghazanfari, a representative in the Tehran parliament, made these comments in an interview with the official Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA). He cited the expansion of the war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as rising tensions between world powers, as grounds for the formation of a widespread conflict.\n\nGhazanfari's remarks are particularly noteworthy, as they highlight the viewpoint of some of Iran's extremist politicians and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) elites. They see the current situation as a regional and global conflict, rather than a localized issue. Iran has been working closely with Russia and China, and has aspirations to challenge the US-led world order.\n\nThe Islamic Revolution, which took place in Iran in 1979, has been a defining moment for the country and its leaders. Iranian Islamists believe they have presented a unique path that differs from the American and Soviet blocs. This ideology has shaped Iran's foreign policy, positioning it on the side of a new world order. Weakening the US and pushing it out of the Middle East is a key goal for Tehran.\n\nIn September, Ghazanfari warned that the US's support for Ukraine and tensions with Britain and Germany could spread the conflict to other European countries. He also pointed to the US-China dispute over Taiwan as another potential area of global conflict.\n\nLooking ahead, Ghazanfari has expressed interest in withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), a proposal that could be put on the parliament's agenda again. He has also criticized the chances of a US deal with Iran, stating that any agreement would lack legitimacy and not be binding under international law.\n\nFurthermore, Ghazanfari has warned about American and Israeli plans for a broader military operation, suggesting that the US might seize Iranian islands in the south. Iran has been continuing its attacks in the region, including recent strikes on Jordan and threats to attack tankers. The regime aims to demonstrate its ability to respond to any US strikes and to send a message that it will not back down.",
  "summary": "While Iran has flirted with reconciliation with the US at times, it has also sought to position itself alongside countries that want a new world order.",
  "key_points": [
    "Iranian lawmaker Kamran Ghazanfari warns Middle East on brink of World War III",
    "Tensions between Russia-Ukraine, US-led world order cited as conflict grounds",
    "Iran aligns with Russia, China, seeks to challenge US-led order"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Iranian lawmaker's warning that the Middle East is on the brink of World War III reflects Tehran's view of rising global tensions as a threat to its own ambitions and regional influence.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "Middle East war: Houthis attack four Saudi cities, injure 73",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/middle-east-war-houthis-attack-four-saudi-cities-injure-73",
        "published": "2026-09-09T06:48:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Sky News",
        "title": "Oil rises above $100 a barrel as Middle East conflict escalates - use our tracker to see impact on prices",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/oil-rises-above-100-a-barrel-as-middle-east-conflict-escalates-use",
        "published": "2026-09-09T07:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Oil prices rise as Middle East conflict escalates",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/oil-prices-rise-as-middle-east-conflict-escalates",
        "published": "2026-09-09T14:16:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Tempo.co English",
        "title": "Oil Prices Rise as Middle East Conflict Escalates",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/oil-prices-rise-as-middle-east-conflict-escalates-6436217",
        "published": "2026-09-09T15:38:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}