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Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Iran vows extension of war beyond Middle East if U.S. launches fresh attacks

The Revolutionary Guards said it had yet to deploy its full force despite U.S. onslaughts against Tehran.

• May 20, 2026
U.S. and Iranian flags.
U.S. and Iranian flags.

Iran threatened on Wednesday to extend the war beyond the Middle East if the United States resumes attacks on the Islamic Republic after President Donald Trump warned of “a full, large-scale assault” if no acceptable deal is reached.

“If aggression against Iran is repeated, the promised regional war will extend beyond the region this time,” the Revolutionary Guards warned in a statement on its state media.

The Revolutionary Guards said it had yet to deploy its full force despite U.S. onslaughts against Tehran.

“The American-Zionist enemy must know that despite the offensive carried out against us using the full capabilities of the world’s two most expensive armies, we have not deployed the full power of the Islamic revolution,” it said.

Mr Trump said on Monday that he suspended a planned military attack on Iran following appeals from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

He said in a post on the Truth Social platform that the strike, scheduled for Tuesday, was called off as “serious negotiations are now taking place.”

Mr Trump has repeatedly threatened attacks against Iran since the launch of Operation Epic Fury on February 28. Tehran has also vowed to retaliate by launching strikes on Washington’s infrastructure in the Middle East.

On Tuesday, he gave Iran a few days’ deadline to reach a deal or face further strikes.

“Well, I mean, I’m saying two or three days, maybe Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Something maybe early next week—a limited period of time,” he told reporters.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned in a post on X Tuesday that “with lessons learned and knowledge we gained, return to war will feature many more surprises.”

Iran and the U.S. agreed to a ceasefire on April 8 to allow negotiations to end the war, but no agreement had been reached, though both countries exchanged proposals.

Among its proposals, Iran seeks an end to hostilities, lifting of the U.S. blockade on its ports, compensation for war-related damages, and full control of the Strait of Hormuz. Mr Trump described the demands as “totally unacceptable.”

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