The conflict between the United States and Iran showed no signs of de-escalation over the weekend, with Tehran issuing its most bellicose warning yet: that American ground troops would be “set on fire” if deployed.
Simultaneously, regional powers convened in Pakistan for talks aimed at finding a diplomatic path to end the war. The meetings underscored the growing alarm among neighboring countries about the conflict’s widening scope and the humanitarian toll across the Middle East.
Adding further complexity to the crisis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel would widen its invasion of southern Lebanon — a move that drew a sharp rebuke from the United Kingdom. British minister Hamish Falconer, described by Norway’s Dagbladet as “deeply concerned,” issued a direct warning to Israel following Netanyahu’s announcement. The convergence of the US-Iran war with Israel’s expanding military operations in Lebanon is raising fears of a broader regional conflagration.
