Qa'ani warns of new fronts and Bab el-Mandeb disruption

IRGC Quds Force commander Esmail Qa'ani warned that continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza could trigger a broader response from Iran-aligned groups across the region.

In remarks carried by Fars News, Qa'ani said Israeli “aggression” in Lebanon and Gaza, carried out with US support, would strengthen the resolve of the “Axis of Resistance” to expand its backing for allied groups and activate additional fronts.

He also warned that developments could lead to what he called the “equalization” of traffic conditions in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting that disruptions affecting one strategic waterway could be mirrored in the other.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, and the Strait of Hormuz are among the world's most important maritime chokepoints for energy shipments and international trade.