Iran warns conflict could extend beyond the Middle East

Iranian officials have warned that any renewed conflict with the United States or Israel could extend beyond the Middle East, as Washington and Tehran continue indirect diplomacy and disputes over a possible settlement remain unresolved. The warnings have included claims that Iranian missiles could reach European countries, but the reporting does not establish a formal change in Iran’s missile policy or independently verify claims of intercontinental capability. Parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told lawmakers that Iran would respond to threats without geographical limits. Armed forces chief Ali Abdollahi issued a similar warning. Manouchehr Mottaki, a lawmaker and former foreign minister, named Britain, Germany, Italy and Portugal as countries he said were within reach of Iranian missiles. Iranian state-affiliated newspapers have also raised the prospect of attacks on US and NATO facilities in Europe. Hamshahri published an AI-generated map marking potential sites in Britain and other European countries. Iranian lawmakers Kamran Ghazanfari and Mohammad Saleh Jokar claimed Iran had developed and tested intercontinental ballistic missiles. Those claims have not...