- Iran's army warned on July 26, 2026, that the war in West Asia would widen if the United States chose to press ahead with attacks on the Islamic republic, ahead of the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington.
- Mohammad Akraminia, the army spokesman, stated that if the Americans fall for the Zionists' deception and continue the war, it will geographically expand further.
- He noted that the war had already expanded to the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the entrance of the Red Sea, referencing the recent military flare-up between Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia.
- The scope of operations now encompasses the entire region, from U.S. bases in Jordan to the countries along the Persian Gulf.
- Akraminia described the situation in West Asia for the United States as difficult and unsettled, predicting that Washington was looking for a new strategy.
- Iran's army is prepared for each of the options and scenarios that appear likely.
Iran's army has issued a stark warning that the ongoing conflict in West Asia could escalate significantly if the United States resumes military actions against the Islamic Republic. This statement comes just before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, raising tensions in the region.156
Army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia emphasized that if the U.S. aligns with Israeli interests and continues air strikes, the conflict's geographical scope will expand. He noted, “I believe that if the Americans once again fall for the Zionists' deception... geographically this will expand further,” indicating a potential widening of hostilities.2
The army spokesman highlighted that the war has already spread to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint, due to recent clashes involving Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi forces. He stated, “The scope of our operations now encompasses the entire region, from U.S. bases in Jordan to the countries along the Persian Gulf,” illustrating the extensive reach of Iranian military operations.34
Akraminia described the current situation for the U.S. in West Asia as “difficult and unsettled,” suggesting that Washington is in search of a new strategy. He concluded with a note of readiness, asserting, “We are prepared for each of the options and scenarios that appear likely.”
“The warning came ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, as Iran's army claimed the war has already expanded to the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The army also said its operations now encompass the entire region from US bases in Jordan to the Persian Gulf.”
