Iran’s army warned on Sunday that the Middle East war would widen if the United States chose to press ahead with attacks on Tehran, AFP reported.
“I believe that if the Americans once again fall for the Zionists’ deception, or move in line with them, and insist on continuing the war, particularly through air strikes, geographically this will expand further,” army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia told Iranian state TV.
Akraminia added that the war had already expanded to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the entrance of the Red Sea, referencing the military flare-up between Yemen’s Houthis and Saudi Arabia. “The scope of our operations now encompasses the entire region, from US bases in Jordan to the countries along the Persian Gulf,” he said.
According to the army spokesman, the situation in the Middle East for the US was “difficult and unsettled.”
He predicted that Washington was now looking “for a new strategy,” saying, “We are prepared for each of the options and scenarios that appear likely.”
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that Israel wanted to keep the US in the region by “provoking” President Donald Trump and providing false information, Tasnim news agency reported.
“If Israel goes back to war against Iran, we will put the regime into a disaster,” an IRGC spokesman warned.
The IRGC also fired warning shots at six ships over the past 24 hours as the vessels tried to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera reported.
According to Iranian state TV cited by Al Jazeera, the ships were stopped from continuing their journey, as the path they were taking was reportedly “outside the designated route” set by Tehran.
Earlier, it was reported that Qatar would fully resume maritime navigation activities for all types of vessels starting on Sunday, ending a two-week suspension imposed amid heightened security tensions in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
The transport ministry announced the decision on Saturday in a brief statement posted on X, calling on all entities and individuals to comply with applicable maritime regulations and instructions to ensure the highest levels of safety and security for all sea voyages.
The ministry did not provide further details about the regulations or explain the reason for resuming maritime traffic in full.
The ministry suspended all maritime navigation activities on July 12 amid continuing regional tensions. It had previously halted maritime traffic on June 29 before partially restoring operations on July 5.
During the latest military confrontation between the US and Iran, several shipping companies instructed some vessels to remain outside the Strait of Hormuz because of security concerns linked to the regional escalation.
Iran says progress made in talks with Oman on Hormuz shipping mechanisms
Iran said on Sunday it made progress in talks with Oman on operational mechanisms to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing there has been no change in maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said several rounds of talks were held in Tehran on Friday and Saturday between Iranian and Omani deputy foreign ministers.
“The two sides exchanged views on common principles and operational mechanisms for the safe passage of ships in the Strait of Hormuz,” Baqaei said, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.
He described the talks as “productive,” saying progress had been made during the discussions.
Baqaei said the Omani delegation left Tehran on Saturday evening, and that technical and political consultations between the two countries remain ongoing.
Iranian army says situation “chaotic and undesirable” for US
General Abolfazl Shekarchi, the spokesperson for Iran’s army, has said the US has failed to achieve its goals “in the Strait of Hormuz and in weakening Iran,” Al Jazeera reported.
“The situation is chaotic and undesirable for America,” he said in remarks quoted by Iranian state TV.
Shekarchi added that the US was looking for a “new strategy” and that the possibility of Washington withdrawing from the war was “conditional on the Zionists’ permission”, in an apparent reference to Israel.
Kuwait condemns Houthi Red Sea attacks, backs Saudi response
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its “condemnation and strong denunciation” of the Houthi attacks against ships in the Red Sea, Al Jazeera reported.
In a statement, the ministry described the attack on the Saudi vessel NCC MASA in the Red Sea on Saturday as a “flagrant violation of international law and a direct threat to the security and freedom of maritime navigation and the safety of international trade”.
The ministry affirmed its “full solidarity” with Saudi Arabia and said it supports “all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its sovereignty and protect its security and interests”.
The attacks followed the Houthis’ declaration of a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia last week, after an attack on Sanaa International Airport.
Riyadh responded by launching strikes on the Houthi-held city of Hodeidah, after which the Yemeni group claimed attacks on Saudi oil facilities.
IRGC threatens UK over support for US attacks on Iran
An IRGC spokesperson has told Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB that “any country, whether the UK, the Gulf Coast countries, or others” would become a “legitimate target” if they support the US in its attacks on Iran, Al Jazeera reported.
The unnamed spokesperson pointed to the UK’s role, claiming that American B-1 bombers used British airports to carry out recent attacks.
“If they cooperate with the US, they will be our definite and legitimate target,” the spokesperson said.