Iran warns of risk of war expanding beyond Middle East

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned on Saturday that ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon could escalate beyond the Middle East, potentially affecting regions far from West Asia.

Araghchi’s comments, aired on state television, highlighted concerns over the wider implications of the current hostilities involving Israel and Iran-backed groups.

Impact of conflict could extend beyond West Asia

Araghchi stated that the expansion of war could result in widespread insecurity and instability. He cautioned that the effects of the conflicts would not be limited to the Middle East, potentially impacting global security.

“The world should know that in case of the expansion of war, its harmful effects will not be limited only to the West Asia region; insecurity and instability can spread to other regions, even far away,” Araghchi said in a speech aired on state TV.

‘Israel aims to bring the conflict to Iran’

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has maintained that a potential ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon could affect Iran’s response.

“If they (the Israelis)… accept a ceasefire and stop massacring the oppressed and innocent people of the region, it could affect the intensity and type of our response,” Pezeshkian said early this month.

On Thursday, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cautioned against an impulsive response to Israel.

“Israel aims to bring the conflict to Iran. We must act wisely to avoid its trap and not react instinctively,” the adviser, Ali Larijani, told state television.