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Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that any renewed US or Israeli strikes could push the war far beyond the Middle East, even as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz resumed and lawmakers in Washington moved to rein in the conflict.
In a statement carried by Iranian state-linked media, the Guard said that if attacks are repeated, “the promised regional war will this time spread far beyond the region,” adding that Iran’s response would be “devastating.” Reuters and other outlets reported that the message was issued after President Donald Trump said he had come close to restarting the military campaign.
The comments underline how fragile the situation remains after weeks of confrontation around Iran and the wider Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes, has become a particular point of concern because any escalation there could affect global energy supplies and international trade.
At the same time, the political track is still active. Vice President JD Vance said negotiations with Tehran were in a “pretty good” place, suggesting Washington still sees room for a deal despite the public threats. Pakistan has also been involved in backchannel diplomacy, with reports that its interior minister recently travelled to Tehran and that Islamabad has passed Iranian proposals to the United States.
The pressure is not only military and diplomatic, but also legislative. The US Senate has moved to debate war-powers limits on the president’s authority in relation to Iran, reflecting concern in Congress about how long the conflict has continued and how far it could spread. That debate adds another layer of uncertainty to a crisis already shaped by deadlines, ultimatums and competing signals from Washington and Tehran.
For Iran, the latest warning is both a threat and a message. It is intended to deter further strikes, reassure domestic hardliners, and remind foreign powers that any new attack may not stay confined to the region. For the US and its allies, the challenge is to balance deterrence with the risk of opening a wider conflict that could draw in more states, threaten shipping lanes and unsettle markets far beyond the Middle East.
What happens next
The immediate question is whether the current pause holds or gives way to another round of strikes and counterstrikes. Analysts will be watching three things closely: military movements around the Gulf, the fate of diplomatic talks, and whether the Senate effort to constrain the White House gains traction.
A renewed clash would test not only the US-Iran relationship but also the wider regional order. Even a limited exchange could have consequences for oil shipping, border security and the diplomatic role of states trying to mediate, including Pakistan.
The central message from Tehran is clear: another strike could escalate into something larger than a Middle Eastern war.
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