An adviser to Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has warned that Tehran may expand the Middle East war to the Indian Ocean if the US attacks again. Yahya Rahim Safavi made the statement in a video released by Iran's Fars news agency. He mentioned that the conflict has already spread from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea. This warning comes as Iran and the US are vying for control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict in the Middle East escalated at the end of February, triggered by US-Israeli strikes. In response, Iran locked down the Strait of Hormuz off the Iranian coast. The strait is a critical passage for much of the world's oil and gas. Iran has long provided military support to Yemen's Houthis, who are fighting Saudi-backed government forces. The Houthis recently took control of the Red Sea coastline, tightening their grip on the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.
The Bab al-Mandab Strait links Asia to Europe via the Suez Canal. Iran denies any involvement in the Yemen conflict, despite providing military support to the Houthis. The Islamic republic has put forward conditions for ending the war, including the lifting of sanctions targeting its economy and the unconditional release of its frozen assets abroad. These conditions were mentioned in talks between Iranian and US officials in New York this week.
The talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly aimed to end the conflict. However, Thursday's warning from an adviser to Iran's supreme leader is the first time the Indian Ocean has been explicitly mentioned as a potential expansion of the conflict. The Indian Ocean is home to a strategic US-British military base at Diego Garcia, nearly 4,000 kilometres from Iran. This development has raised concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict.
Iranian officials had previously threatened to expand the geographic scope of the conflict if US strikes resume. The warning has significant implications for global security, given the Indian Ocean's importance as a shipping route. The US and Iran have been engaged in a tense standoff, with the US imposing sanctions on Iran's economy. The conflict has had far-reaching consequences for the region and the global economy.
A spokesman for Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Mohebi, mentioned ending the war in Yemen in an exclusive interview with AFP on Tuesday. The conflict in Yemen has resulted in significant humanitarian suffering, with many civilians caught in the crossfire. The international community has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but efforts so far have been unsuccessful.
The conflict in the Middle East remains a major concern for global security. The warning from Iran's supreme leader's adviser has raised concerns about the potential escalation of the conflict. Key issues, including the lifting of sanctions and the release of frozen assets, remain unresolved. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with many calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Key points
- Iran warns of expanding Middle East war to Indian Ocean if US attacks again
- Conflict escalation triggered by US-Israeli strikes at end of February
- Iran demands lifting of sanctions and release of frozen assets for peace
