Iran has issued a fresh warning that the ongoing war could expand from the Persian Gulf and Red Sea into the Indian Ocean if the United States or Israel launches further attacks.
Yahya Rahim Safavi, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, said in a video released by Iran’s Fars news agency that the conflict could expand beyond its current theatres. He cited the spread of fighting from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea as a possible indication that the front could move farther toward the Indian Ocean.
The warning comes amid already heightened tensions over maritime security. Iranian officials have separately warned that US ships in the Indian Ocean could be targeted if hostilities resume, while Iran’s military leadership has threatened retaliation against US forces and interests in the region following any new attack.
Why the Indian Ocean matters
Any expansion of the conflict toward the Indian Ocean could raise concerns over commercial shipping, energy supplies and maritime traffic connecting the Middle East with South Asia. The Strait of Hormuz remains particularly important because of its role in global oil and gas transportation. Reuters reported earlier this month that Iran had threatened retaliation against US interests and warned that Gulf energy infrastructure could be vulnerable to further attacks.
The latest warning does not mean that Iran has announced an attack on India or Indian territory. It is a warning about a possible expansion of the military theatre if further US or Israeli strikes occur.
At the same time, there are indications that diplomatic channels remain possible. Reuters reported on September 22 that an Iranian official said Tehran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if Washington reduced military pressure and lifted its blockade of Iranian ports.
For India, the main areas to watch are shipping security in the Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean, oil prices, and the safety of Indian nationals and merchant vessels operating in the region.