By Ginika Igboke
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned on Wednesday that any future military strikes by the United States and Israel against the country could trigger a significantly wider conflict.
In a statement carried by Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency on May 20, the organization said a renewed confrontation would expand beyond the Middle East and bring consequences far beyond the region.
“The regional war that was promised will this time be extended beyond the region, and our crushing blows will bring you to ruin in places you cannot imagine,” the statement said.
The military group did not explain how it would extend operations beyond the region but claimed it had not deployed all of its military capabilities during the U.S. and Israeli strikes that began on Feb. 28.
Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had canceled U.S. strikes against Iran that had been scheduled for Tuesday. He said the decision was intended to create an opportunity for Tehran to move toward a peace agreement with Washington.
Trump also said leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar had encouraged the United States to avoid launching a new round of attacks.
Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Iran’s leadership appears divided and that the country’s negotiating position remains uncertain.
Speaking at the White House on May 20, Vance emphasized that U.S. military forces remain prepared for action if ordered.
Trump later said Iran had only a short period—possibly several days or until early next week—to reach an agreement.
“I was an hour away from making the decision to go today,” Trump told reporters on May 19.
Although the ceasefire with Iran has largely remained in place, tensions have continued through attacks on maritime shipping and Gulf states. Early May saw a rise in incidents after Trump announced plans for a naval operation intended to reopen strategic waterways before later suspending the mission.
This week also brought reports of drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Officials from both countries said the drones originated in Iraq, where Iran-backed militia groups maintain a presence. Jordan also reported intercepting and shooting down a drone on May 20.
Iran has largely restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz since the U.S.–Israeli military campaign began, creating major disruptions in global energy transportation.
In response, the United States initiated a blockade of Iranian ports last month. U.S. officials say military forces have redirected or stopped more than 80 ships traveling to and from Iran.
Nuclear Tensions Continue
Trump has repeatedly demanded that Iran scale back its nuclear activities, while Tehran maintains that it has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.
For years, U.S., European, and Israeli officials have argued that Iran’s uranium program could lead to weapons capability. Iranian officials have consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons.
Vance reiterated that Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon, warning that such a development could destabilize the Middle East and potentially trigger broader global consequences.
International assessments have found that Iran enriched uranium to approximately 60 percent purity—far beyond the 3 to 5 percent generally required for civilian nuclear energy production.
Experts note that moving from 60 percent enrichment to roughly 90 percent, the level generally associated with weapons-grade material, could potentially be achieved within weeks.