Tehran, 6 October, 2026 (Ghufran): Iran’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Ali Abdollahi, has warned that any new war against Iran could escalate into a wider regional conflict, affecting all countries in the region hosting US forces or military installations. Speaking about the possibility of renewed military confrontation, Abdollahi said Iran was not waiting for the outcome of the US midterm elections and would respond forcefully to any military action against the country. He emphasized that Iran was fully prepared to confront all forms of threats and possessed the capability to respond decisively to any potential military operation, whether limited or large-scale. The Iranian military chief also criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accusing the UN nuclear watchdog of adopting a hostile approach toward Tehran. Describing the agency as “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” he rejected its recent statements concerning Iran’s nuclear facilities as unfounded. The warning comes amid continuing tensions between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear programme and regional security. Iranian officials have repeatedly cautioned that any attack on the country would provoke a strong response and could have far-reaching consequences across the Middle East.