This screen grab made on July 26, 2026 from undated handout video footage released by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on July 25, 2026 shows what CENTCOM says are operations enforcing its naval blockade against Iran. (CENTCOM) / AFP)
Iran’s military has warned that the conflict in the Middle East could expand significantly if the United States resumes attacks on the Islamic Republic, ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled visit to Washington.
Speaking on state television on Sunday, Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said any renewed US military action would trigger a broader regional response.
“If the Americans once again fall for the Zionists’ deception, or align with them and insist on continuing the war, particularly through air strikes, the conflict will expand further geographically,” he said.
Akraminia said the conflict had already spread to the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the entrance to the Red Sea, referring to recent hostilities involving Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia.
He added that Iran’s military operations now extend across the region, including areas around US military bases in Jordan and countries along the Persian Gulf.
“The situation for the United States in the Middle East is difficult and unstable. They are now looking for a new strategy,” he said, adding that Iran was prepared for any possible scenario.
His comments came ahead of Netanyahu’s visit to the United States, where he is expected to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday.
According to Netanyahu’s office, the Israeli leader will depart for Washington on Monday for talks with Trump and will also attend the funeral service of Senator Lindsey Graham, whom the office described as a close friend of Israel.
Since Trump’s return to office last year, the two leaders have met six times, most recently in Washington on February 11.
While Trump and Netanyahu initially presented a united front after launching military operations against Iran earlier this year, differences have since emerged over whether to continue military action or pursue a diplomatic settlement.
Netanyahu has repeatedly described Trump as “the greatest friend” Israel has ever had in the White House, but recent disagreements over the conflict have occasionally played out in public.
“We get along very good. Netanyahu knows who the boss is,” Trump said in a recent interview with Axios.
Relations between the two leaders reportedly deteriorated during negotiations over an earlier US-Iran ceasefire, which later collapsed, with Trump publicly expressing frustration over Israel’s approach to the conflict.
