TEHRAN, Nov 9, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on
Saturday warned that the wars in Gaza and Lebanon, where Israel is battling
Tehran-backed groups, could spill over beyond the Middle East.

"The world should know that in case of the expansion of war, its harmful
effects will not be limited only to the West Asia region; insecurity and
instability can spread to other regions, even far away," Araghchi said in
speech aired on state TV.

Iran's arch-nemesis Israel has been waging a devastating war in the Gaza
Strip against Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas since it launched
its shock attack on Israel in October 2023.

Israel has more recently shifted its focus to Lebanon, where it has been
engaged in full-fledged battle since September with Hezbollah, a Lebanese
militant group which is financially and militarily supported by the Islamic
republic.

On October 26, Israel conducted air strikes on military sites in Iran in
response to Tehran's October 1 attack on Israel, itself retaliation for the
killing of Iran-backed militant leaders and a Revolutionary Guards general.

Iranian officials said Israel's October 26 attack killed four soldiers and
resulted in "limited damage" to radar systems. Iranian media also reported
that a civilian was killed.

Tehran has since vowed to retaliate despite the US and Israel's warning
against it.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has maintained that a potential ceasefire
in Gaza and Lebanon could affect Iran's response.

"If they (the Israelis)... accept a ceasefire and stop massacring the
oppressed and innocent people of the region, it could affect the intensity
and type of our response," Pezeshkian said early this month.

On Thursday, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
cautioned against an impulsive response to Israel.

"Israel aims to bring the conflict to Iran. We must act wisely to avoid its
trap and not react instinctively," the adviser, Ali Larijani, told state
television.