Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned that US threats against Iran risk plunging the Middle East into wider instability, following a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the arrival of a US aircraft carrier in the region.
The conversation came amid rising fears of renewed conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, after Washington signalled it was weighing military action against Tehran.
Concerns Over US Threats
According to a statement from Pezeshkian’s office on Tuesday, the Iranian president criticised what he described as US “threats” aimed at pressuring Iran, saying such actions would only undermine regional security.
“He stressed that recent economic pressure and external interference have failed to weaken the resolve or awareness of the Iranian people,” the statement said, adding that Tehran viewed the current approach as counterproductive.
The warning followed Washington’s decision to deploy the USS Abraham Lincoln to the region, as President Donald Trump renewed his rhetoric against Iran during ongoing antigovernment unrest in the country.
Saudi Arabia Emphasises Neutrality
Saudi Arabia welcomed the dialogue, reaffirming its commitment to regional stability and rejecting any escalation, Pezeshkian’s office said.
The official Saudi Press Agency reported that Prince Mohammed told Pezeshkian that Riyadh would not allow its airspace or territory to be used for military action against Iran.
The crown prince also stressed respect for Iran’s sovereignty and voiced support for resolving disputes through dialogue, according to the report.
Pezeshkian expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s position, praising Riyadh’s efforts to promote security and stability across the region.
Rising Tensions and Military Warnings
The call took place as Trump again warned that a large US naval force was moving towards Iran, saying he hoped Tehran would agree to US demands but repeating threats of military action.
Iranian officials have responded with warnings of their own. Mohammad Akbarzadeh, a senior commander in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval arm, said neighbouring countries would be considered hostile if their territory, airspace or waters were used in an attack on Iran.
“Neighbouring countries are our friends,” he said, according to Iran’s Fars news agency, “but any participation in aggression would change that.”
Shadow of Past Conflict
The latest escalation comes months after a brief but intense war in June 2025, when Israel carried out strikes on Iranian military officials, nuclear scientists and facilities. The US later joined the campaign, targeting three nuclear sites in Iran during the 12-day conflict.
That confrontation derailed planned negotiations between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear programme. Since then, Trump has reiterated demands that Iran dismantle its nuclear infrastructure and halt uranium enrichment, while Iran has rejected such conditions.
Although a US official said this week that Washington remains open to talks, analysts remain sceptical.
Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, said Iran is unlikely to accept concessions under pressure, warning that Tehran views such moves as encouraging further demands.
Warning of Wider Impact
Iran has repeatedly said it would respond forcefully to any attack. On Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei cautioned that any strike on Iran could have consequences far beyond its borders.
“Regional countries fully understand that insecurity will not affect Iran alone,” he said. “Instability spreads.”
As military posturing continues and diplomatic channels remain fragile, regional leaders are increasingly warning that miscalculation could trigger a broader crisis across the Middle East.