IRAN WARNS CONFLICT COULD REACH INDIAN OCEAN

An adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Yahya Rahim Safavi, has warned that a renewed conflict with the United States could expand to the Indian Ocean.

Safavi said Iranian forces had prepared for different scenarios if the United States or Israel launched further attacks against Iranian facilities or national interests.

He said the conflict had already spread from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea, raising the possibility of further expansion.

The adviser’s comments were reported by Iran’s Fars news agency and come amid heightened tensions in the region.

Safavi said Iran was prepared for what he described as worst-case scenarios and warned that any renewed attacks could widen the geographical scope of the conflict.

The remarks represent a warning from an Iranian military adviser rather than confirmation that Iran has decided to expand the conflict.

Regional tensions have continued to draw international attention because of the strategic importance of the Gulf, Red Sea and Indian Ocean shipping routes.