Iran has threatened to widen the Middle East war beyond its current bounds, saying the conflict could reach as far as the Indian Ocean and possibly further if the United States launches new attacks, Boursorama reported on Thursday.
The warning was carried by several outlets, with bfmtv.com describing the same message as a threat to extend the fighting "as far as the Indian Ocean" in the event of further American strikes.
The threat comes amid heightened attention on the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global energy shipments. According to Euronews, EU foreign policy chief Kallas called for free navigation through the strait after speaking with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi.
Oil markets reacted to the escalation. Zonebourse Suisse reported that crude prices jumped as Iran threatened to broaden the war across the Middle East.
The same day, the United Nations was the setting for further remarks on the conflict. France 24 reported that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas addressed the body, asking how long the world would stay silent in the face of Israel.
The material reviewed does not specify which American actions Iran was responding to, nor the exact scope of any planned response. The reports describe the threat in general terms, tied to the possibility of additional U.S. attacks.
What to watch next: whether Washington responds to the warning, and whether traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is affected, given the EU's push for unimpeded shipping there.
