War To ‘Expand Further’ If US Attacks Restart, Iran Army Warns •

Iran’s army warned on Sunday that the Middle East war would widen if the United States chose to press ahead with attacks on the Islamic republic, ahead of the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington.

“I believe that if the Americans once again fall for the Zionists’ deception, or move in line with them, and insist on continuing the war, particularly through air strikes, geographically this will expand further,” army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia told state television.

He said the war had already expanded to the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the entrance of the Red Sea, referencing the recent military flare-up between Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia.

“The scope of our operations now encompasses the entire region, from US bases in Jordan to the countries along the Persian Gulf,” he said.

Akraminia said the situation in the Middle East for the United States is “difficult and unsettled,” predicting that Washington was now looking “for a new strategy.”

“We are prepared for each of the options and scenarios that appear likely,” he added.

On Friday, Israel said Netanyahu will meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday.

Since Trump’s return to office last year, the two have already met six times, most recently on February 11 in Washington.

But this visit comes at a time when disagreements between them over the handling of the war with Iran have occasionally spilled into public view.

“As part of the visit, the prime minister will meet with President Trump at the White House on Tuesday and attend the funeral service for Senator Lindsey Graham, a friend of Israel,” Netanyahu’s office said, adding that he would depart for Washington on Monday.

The two leaders were closely aligned when Trump returned to the White House, launching a joint war against Iran in late February that both sides initially hailed as a success.

Netanyahu has often described Trump as “the greatest friend” Israel ever had in the White House.

But their alliance has shown signs of strain in recent months, particularly over whether to keep up military pressure on Iran or seek a diplomatic solution.

“We get along very good. (Netanyahu) knows who the boss is,” Trump said earlier this month in a phone interview with Axios, referring to himself.

Relations between the two leaders reached a low point in April during negotiations on an initial US-Iran ceasefire — which has since collapsed — with Trump unleashing profanity-laced tirades against his Israeli ally.

AFP