Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has threatened to widen the Middle East conflict beyond the region if the United States and Israel resume military strikes against Tehran, raising fresh fears of escalation even as diplomatic signals remain mixed.
In a statement carried by Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) warned that any renewed aggression would trigger a broader response.
“If the aggression against Iran is repeated, the regional war that was promised will this time be extended beyond the region,” the statement said, adding that retaliation would bring “crushing blows” in unexpected places.
The warning comes amid continued uncertainty over the direction of U.S.-Iran diplomacy, with contrasting messages emerging from Washington in recent days.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he believed the conflict could be brought to a rapid end and suggested Iran was open to negotiations. Vice President JD Vance separately described talks as being in a “pretty good place,” adding that neither side wanted the war to restart.
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“We’re going to take care of business and come home,” Vance said, framing the administration’s approach as aimed at avoiding a prolonged engagement.
However, Trump has also issued repeated threats of military escalation, including deadlines for Tehran to return to negotiations, and said he had recently been close to authorising strikes before postponing a decision.
The war between Iran and Israel, now in its fourth month, has settled into a tense stalemate despite a nominal ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz — a critical global energy artery — remains at the centre of the confrontation, with shipping activity severely disrupted.
The Strait typically carries around 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows, but maritime traffic has been heavily reduced since the conflict began in late February, according to shipping and security assessments cited in international reporting.
Analysts warn that any further escalation could have immediate global consequences, particularly for energy markets already under strain from broader geopolitical instability.
The standoff has also complicated U.S. domestic politics, with opinion polls indicating growing public fatigue over the prospect of a prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
Iran’s latest statement underscores the fragile nature of current deterrence, with both sides signalling readiness for escalation while still leaving room — at least rhetorically — for negotiations.
The situation remains fluid, with no confirmed timeline for renewed talks or military action, and regional actors closely watching developments for signs of either de-escalation or a broader regional war.
