Iran has threatened to launch ground invasions of neighbouring countries allied to the US if Donald Trump's war continues, according to reports. Iranian officials have reportedly fortified nuclear and military sites along its borders with several nations that have backed Trump since the US and Israel launched the war with Iran in February.
Preparations for a wider conflict
Iran has also reportedly rallied regime loyalists and is threatening to widen the ongoing conflict amid the upcoming US midterm elections. The US President last week promised not to attack Iran before the midterms, but sources have reportedly said the country is preparing for possible attacks by Trump after the elections.
Tehran has told regional officials that it would respond to any new attacks by hitting neighbouring US allies in retaliation, according to the Wall Street Journal. Iran shares borders with both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have both been staunch supporters of the US. Other neighbouring countries include Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Turkmenistan.
Officials' warnings and regional threats
Iranian officials, cited by the WSJ, said forces "could conduct land incursions into neighbouring countries". This comes as Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, warned that Iran could target data centres, cables and artificial intelligence facilities across the region. Rezaei, on Monday, wrote in a X post: "Every miscalculation by the enemy against Iran has resulted in a heavy defeat for them; the next mistake will bring new fronts and greater surprises."
Iran has reportedly also been preparing its people for a "renewed" conflict by making soldiers read war stories in schools to kids and holding political rallies. Billboards along the roads in Iran have also reportedly popped up to advertise sniper courses and training for civilians on how to use defensive shoulder-fired missile systems.
Previous attacks and UK connection
Iran has previously attacked its neighbours through drone attacks earlier in the war. These included an attack by Dubai's international airport in March, which saw a fire break out near the airport and even a residential luxury high rise on fire after an attack.
This comes after Prime Minister Andy Burnham told the Commons yesterday that the alleged terror plot at RAF Fairford was "almost certainly" led by Iran. He told MPs: "I can confirm our assessment that it is highly likely to have been coordinated in Iran, almost certainly directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard."
