Iran warned on Wednesday that the Middle East war would spread far beyond the region if the United States and Israel resumed their attacks. This comes after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to strike again unless a deal is reached. Trump has repeatedly threatened Tehran with renewed military action, while Iranian officials have hit back with their own warnings of devastating action.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Issue Threat
Iran's Revolutionary Guards issued their own threat on Wednesday, stating, "if the aggression against Iran is repeated, the promised regional war will this time spread far beyond the region, and our devastating blows will crush you." The conflict in the Middle East has entered its 82nd day.
Pakistan's Mediation Efforts
Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is heading to Tehran to meet officials, as reported by Iran's Tasnim news agency via Al Jazeera. This is Naqvi's second trip to Iran in a week as Pakistan, acting as a mediator, tries to bring both sides to a second round of talks.
Iran Preparing 'More Surprises'
Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said in a social media post that Tehran is preparing new military capabilities if war with the U.S. and Israel resumes. "With lessons learned and knowledge we gained, return to war will feature many more surprises," Araghchi said, according to ABC News.
Xi Jinping Calls for Ceasefire
Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing, where the two leaders discussed the Middle East conflict. "A comprehensive ceasefire is of utmost urgency, resuming hostilities is even more inadvisable and maintaining negotiations is particularly important," Xi told Putin, according to Chinese state media via The Guardian. Putin highlighted economic ties, saying energy cooperation between Russia and China remains strong.
Israeli Airstrikes on Lebanon
Despite a fragile ceasefire, Israeli warplanes struck the Lebanese town of Jibchit overnight, the country's state news agency reported. Another strike targeted the area of an international school in Habboush. Israeli planes also hit Kherbet Silem and Kfara in the Bint Jbeil district, with no casualties reported from a strike on Toura.
Diplomatic Progress Despite Tensions
On Tuesday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance told reporters that "a lot of good progress is being made" and "we're just going to keep working at it," even as he told Iran the U.S. military was "locked and loaded." The Revolutionary Guards warned that the American-Zionist enemy must know that despite the offensive carried out against them, they have not deployed the full power of the Islamic revolution.
