Iran warns US of “endless quagmire” amid rising tensions

A senior Iranian official has issued a strong warning to the United States, cautioning that any further escalation could push Washington into what he

A senior Iranian official has issued a strong warning to the United States, cautioning that any further escalation could push Washington into what he described as an “endless quagmire,” amid rapidly rising tensions between the two countries.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliamentary speaker and chief negotiator, said in a post on social media that “wrong strategies and impulsive decisions will reset the entire board for the worse,” warning that such actions could severely destabilize the region. He further cautioned that continued escalation could “explode energy infrastructure and markets,” resulting in a prolonged and costly conflict for the United States.

Ghalibaf added that any confrontation would lead to “a different Iran,” signaling a hardened stance from Tehran as diplomatic tensions intensify.

The remarks came shortly after reported threats by US leadership of possible military action against Iran, including strikes and potential moves targeting strategic energy infrastructure such as Kharg Island, a critical hub for Iran’s oil exports.

Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that any damage caused by Iran against US allies would be financially compensated through Iranian-linked assets. He said economic consequences for Tehran would deepen with every new attack, signaling continued pressure through financial and sanctions mechanisms.

The situation escalated further following reports of Iranian attacks on US-linked assets in several Gulf states, including Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, in response to earlier US strikes in southern Iran.

Security analysts have meanwhile questioned the feasibility of any direct US attempt to seize strategic Iranian locations such as Kharg Island, noting its heavy fortification, difficult geography, and the risks involved in amphibious or airborne operations in the region.

With both sides exchanging threats and limited strikes already reported, the Gulf region remains on high alert as fears grow of a wider regional conflict that could disrupt global energy supplies and international markets.