A senior Iranian military leader has warned that a new Israeli strike would lead to a wider war involving the United States, signaling dangerously high tensions just months after a direct conflict between the nations .
Major General Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, stated, "The moment Israel starts a war, we will also enter a war with the United States" . He further emphasized that negotiations are unacceptable if they are perceived to strengthen Israel, and that any use of military force would be met with retaliation against both Israeli and American targets in the region .
This warning comes as Israel remains on high alert. The alert was triggered by the reinstatement of United Nations sanctions on Iran, a move that has fueled Israeli fears that Tehran might accelerate its nuclear activities . A senior Israeli official, commenting on the renewed sanctions, acknowledged that "Iran is still a power" .
The Twelve-Day War: A Recap of Recent Hostilities
The current threats follow a short but intense war in June 2025. The conflict began on June 13 when Israel launched surprise attacks on key military and nuclear facilities inside Iran . These initial strikes killed prominent Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists, and damaged the country's air defense systems .
Iran retaliated with large-scale missile and drone attacks. Over the following days, Iran launched over 550 ballistic missiles and more than 1,000 suicide drones toward Israel . These attacks hit civilian population centers and government sites in Israel, causing casualties and damage .
The United States entered the conflict on June 22, conducting major airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—Natanz, Isfahan, and the deeply-buried Fordow plant . The U.S. used B-2 Spirit bombers and "bunker buster" bombs to target the fortified sites . In response, Iran fired missiles at a U.S. air base in Qatar.
A ceasefire was announced on June 24, ending eleven days of direct combat . However, the underlying tensions were far from resolved.
Israel's Strategic Position and Military Posture
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled a continued aggressive stance. Following the June war, he stated he had "no intention of easing off the gas pedal" . Analysts suggest that Israel's leadership views the last conflict as a success and may be looking for opportunities to further weaken the Iranian regime .
Some experts believe Israel's goal is to ensure it can attack Iran with impunity, turning it into a country Israel can strike at any time, similar to its posture towards Lebanon or Syria . To launch another major attack, however, analysts note Israel would likely need approval from the United States, which may not be forthcoming due to U.S. concerns over regional stability .
Reports also indicate that Israel may be continuing covert operations inside Iran, with unexplained explosions and fires at various industrial and civilian sites attributed to sabotage . This suggests that even during a tense ceasefire, a shadow war continues.
Iran's Readiness and Nuclear Program
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said his country is "fully prepared for any new Israeli military move," and that Iranian armed forces "are ready to strike deep inside Israel again" . This indicates that Iran, having been caught by surprise once, is now on a higher state of alert.
The core issue remains Iran's nuclear program. Israel justified its June attack as a necessary pre-emptive strike against an imminent nuclear threat . While Iran has consistently stated its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported in June 2025 that Iran had enough enriched uranium to produce several nuclear weapons .
The military strikes set back Iran's nuclear progress, but experts debate for how long. Some U.S. intelligence assessments suggested the program was delayed by only a few months, while Israeli and other Western officials claimed the damage would take years to rebuild .
Potential for a Broader Regional Conflict
The risk of a single conflict expanding into a wider regional war is significant. A confrontation between Iran and Israel, potentially drawing in the U.S., would have direct implications for global security and energy markets .
In the June war, Iran's network of regional proxies—including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen—remained largely on the sidelines, as they had been significantly weakened by Israeli military actions in the preceding years . This could change in a new conflict, potentially opening multiple fronts against Israel.
U.S. involvement remains a critical factor. American military power provided a decisive edge in the last war, particularly in destroying hardened nuclear targets . Any new conflict would force the U.S. to again weigh the risks of direct military engagement in the Middle East.
The June conflict caused significant human cost and displacement. In Iran, over 4,870 civilians were killed or wounded, and tens of thousands were displaced from their homes . In Israel, 31 civilians and one soldier were killed, with over 3,000 people wounded .
Aid organizations warned that a renewed or expanded war could trigger a major refugee crisis. One analysis estimated that a full-scale war could push up to one million Iranian refugees toward the Turkish border, though Türkiye has indicated it may not implement an open-door policy . The situation is especially dire for the estimated 4.5 million Afghan refugees living in Iran, who are particularly vulnerable and lack resources to flee conflict zones .
The Diplomatic Landscape
The international community has expressed deep concern. During a United Nations Security Council meeting, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that further escalation could "ignite a fire that no one can control" . He emphasized that the central question is the nuclear issue, and the only way to bridge the "trust gap" is through diplomacy that establishes a credible and verifiable solution .
The European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal—Germany, France, and the United Kingdom—have pursued a diplomatic resolution . They have stated that "military action cannot put an end to Iran’s nuclear capabilities" . The reimposition of UN sanctions has further complicated the diplomatic picture, with a deadline for a new nuclear deal potentially providing a trigger for renewed confrontation .
The situation in the Middle East remains highly volatile. With both Iran and Israel signaling readiness for further conflict, and the United States positioned as a key player, the risk of miscalculation remains high. The coming weeks will test whether diplomacy or renewed violence will shape the future of the region.