Iran Warns US of Opening ‘New Fronts’

A photo released by the Iranian army shows missile launches during annual military maneuvers in the Isfahan province, central Iran, on Saturday (AFP)
A photo released by the Iranian army shows missile launches during annual military maneuvers in the Isfahan province, central Iran, on Saturday (AFP)
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Iran Warns US of Opening ‘New Fronts’

A photo released by the Iranian army shows missile launches during annual military maneuvers in the Isfahan province, central Iran, on Saturday (AFP)
A photo released by the Iranian army shows missile launches during annual military maneuvers in the Isfahan province, central Iran, on Saturday (AFP)

Iran has issued more warnings to the US as conflict escalates in Gaza, amid concerns that Tehran may become directly embroiled in a military confrontation with Washington.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned that new fronts will be opened against the US if it continues to support Israel in its war on Hamas in Gaza.

Abdollahian further cautioned that the Israeli ground operation in Gaza would have “dire consequences” for Israel, urging the US to decide whether they truly want to escalate the war.

The top diplomat did not provide specific details regarding the “consequences” Iran might take in the future, denying Tehran had ordered its affiliated groups in Syria and Iraq to target US forces in recent days.

Speaking with Bloomberg on Friday, he stated that the groups act independently and have not received any orders from Tehran.

“Opening of new fronts will be unavoidable and that will put Israel in a new situation that will make it regret its actions,” said Abdollahian.

“This has reached the point of explosion. Anything is possible and any front can be opened up,” he added.

“We have not deployed any new forces, either in Syria or in other parts of the region, but we have not merely been spectators of what is happening,” reminded Abdollahian.

“In accordance with our national interests, Iran will take necessary actions,” he stressed.

Moreover, he recommended that Hamas release the civilian prisoners it is holding. The group has so far released four.

The state-run ISNA agency cited Abdollahian as stating to journalists in New York that the absence of a workable political solution in the near future could potentially lead to unpredictable developments.

He met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, emphasizing that “efforts are focused on how to reach political solutions.”



Iran's Parliament Speaker Meets Supreme Leader to Discuss War Impact

Motorists ride past portraits of Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, Oct 21, 2026. (AP) 
Motorists ride past portraits of Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, Oct 21, 2026. (AP) 
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Iran's Parliament Speaker Meets Supreme Leader to Discuss War Impact

Motorists ride past portraits of Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, Oct 21, 2026. (AP) 
Motorists ride past portraits of Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, Oct 21, 2026. (AP) 

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei met on Wednesday with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf to review the latest developments related to the US-Israeli war against Iran.

“The meeting discussed the latest developments in the US-Israeli enemy’s military and economic warfare and stressed the need to strengthen the country’s national capabilities," a statement published on the leader's website said.

This was the first publicly announced meeting of its kind between Mojtaba Khamenei and Ghalibaf, whose influence has expanded following the recent war.

The two sides addressed maintaining social cohesion, tackling economic difficulties and “advancing relations with strategic partners,” the statement added.

They also discussed improving cooperation between the government and parliament to address economic and livelihood challenges.

Qalibaf briefed Khamenei on parliamentary activities since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran on February 28 and outlined ongoing and future plans to address the country’s challenges.

Continuous Absence

Mojtaba has not made a public appearance since succeeding his father, Ali Khamenei, on March 8, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28.

The Supreme Leader has only communicated through written statements, while his absence from public view has fueled speculation about his health condition.

A limited number of officials have publicly announced meeting with him, most notably President Masoud Pezeshkian and the current chief of the General Staff, Ali Abdollahi.

In August, Pezeshkian said that communication with Mojtaba Khamenei is “extremely difficult” at the moment.

On August 10, the President told State TV he held a seven-hour meeting with the Supreme Leader. Despite Pezeshkian's account, no publicly verified footage of the meeting was released.

In July, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has revealed that he has never met Mojtaba Khamenei since he assumed the role of Iran's Supreme Leader.

Three people close to the supreme leader’s inner circle told Reuters last April that Mojtaba Khamenei is still recovering from severe facial and leg injuries suffered in the airstrike that killed his father at the beginning of the war.

Khamenei's face was disfigured in the attack on the supreme leader's compound in central Tehran and he suffered a significant injury to one or both legs, all three sources said.

Social media accounts of the people close to Khamenei's inner circle provide the most detailed description of the leader's condition for weeks but the reports could not be independently verified.

Lat month, US President Donald Trump said he believes Khamenei is “very seriously wounded”, but not dead.

Iranian officials say the supreme leader is taking part in meetings with senior officials via audio conferencing and is engaged in decision-making on major issues including the war and negotiations ‌with Washington.

Thee Hamshahri newspaper, an Iranian media outlet affiliated with Tehran municipality has explained the prolonged absence of Khamenei from public view, arguing that modern intelligence agencies can extract highly sensitive information from even the simplest audio recordings, making any public appearance a security risk.

 

 


Iran's IRGC Navy Says Seven Vessels Hit, Warns US of Wider Response

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, October 19, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, October 19, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
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Iran's IRGC Navy Says Seven Vessels Hit, Warns US of Wider Response

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, October 19, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer
Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, October 19, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said on Thursday that four vessels involved in illegal ‌oil transfers ‌in the ‌northern ⁠Arabian Gulf were simultaneously ⁠hit and caught fire after being tracked by ⁠its forces on ‌Wednesday, reported Reuters.

The ‌IRGC added ‌that three ‌more vessels collided with mines west of the ‌Strait of Hormuz, and warned ⁠the ⁠US military that continued provocations could lead to a wider response against its regional bases.


Report: Trump’s Son ‘Expressed Private Concerns About Iran War to his Father’

US President Donald Trump approaches to embrace Donald Trump Jr at his campaign rally, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, November 4, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo
US President Donald Trump approaches to embrace Donald Trump Jr at his campaign rally, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, November 4, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo
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Report: Trump’s Son ‘Expressed Private Concerns About Iran War to his Father’

US President Donald Trump approaches to embrace Donald Trump Jr at his campaign rally, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, November 4, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo
US President Donald Trump approaches to embrace Donald Trump Jr at his campaign rally, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US, November 4, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo

Donald Trump Jr has reportedly privately expressed concerns about the war in Iran to his father, The Telegraph wrote on Wednesday quoting reports.

The US president’s eldest son opposed the war from the outset and made his opinions known to his father, two sources told The Atlantic.

He believed the US should not enter another war in the Middle East, consistent with his long-standing skepticism of foreign intervention.

“Don has kept his views on the subject private, as he would never publicly break with his dad on an issue like this, but I can’t imagine anyone who knows Don would be surprised by his personal views on the subject,” a person close to the president’s son said.

‘America First’ Friction

The president’s decision to align himself with Israel in the war against Tehran has caused a rift within his Maga base, which believes the conflict flies in the face of the “America First” position they voted for.

Vice President JD Vance is widely understood to be against the war.

Like Trump, he has a long-standing history of skepticism toward military intervention in the Middle East, though his role shifted when the US launched military strikes on Feb 28.

Charlie Kirk, the conservative political activist who was assassinated last year, was among the loudest voices in Maga to oppose a conflict in the Middle East, particularly after Trump first launched strikes on Iran in June 2025.

Trump Jr was exceptionally close to Kirk, whom he described as a “little brother.”

“Don Jr is the most Maga of them all,” one of the people who spoke with Trump said.

The Cost of Conflict

High fuel prices caused by a global diesel shortage resulting from the conflict have made it harder for the US president and his ⁠Republican Party to defend narrow congressional majorities in the upcoming midterm elections.

As the specter of a painful election looms, the White House has tried to lower costs to appeal to voters, who rank the cost of living as one of their highest priorities.

A spokesman for Trump declined to comment to The Atlantic.

The White House official told the magazine in a statement: “Iran has been decimated, and one way or the other, the conflict in Iran will be over very soon.”