Iran warns of widening war as US-Iran talks continue; Israel faces global backlash over flotilla treatment

Iran's army has threatened to "open new fronts" beyond the region if it comes under renewed attack, as US President Donald Trump said talks with Tehran were in the final stages but added he was "in no hurry." The warning came as global outrage mounted over a video posted by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir showing detained Gaza aid flotilla activists kneeling with hands tied behind their backs, prompting multiple countries to summon Israeli ambassadors.

Iran's army said it would expand the conflict with the US and Israel beyond the region if Iran comes under renewed attack. Separately, Iran's newly-established Persian Gulf Strait Authority announced on Wednesday a "controlled maritime zone" at the Strait of Hormuz, requiring vessels to coordinate their route and obtain the authority's approval to pass through. The authority posted a map on X showing the zone extending from the line connecting Kuh-e Mobarak in Iran and southern Fujairah in the UAE at the eastern side of the strait, to the line connecting the end of Qeshm Island in Iran and Umm Al Quwain in the UAE at the western side.

Trump told reporters on Wednesday: "We're in the final stages of Iran. We'll see what happens. Either have a deal or we're going to do some things that are a little bit nasty, but hopefully that won't happen." He added: "We're going to give this one shot. I'm in no hurry. Ideally I'd like to see few people killed, as opposed to a lot. We can do it either way." Trump said on Monday he postponed an attack on Iran after requests from the leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran received a new US proposal and is examining it. "We received the points of view of the American side and we are currently examining them. The presence of Pakistan's interior minister is aimed at facilitating the exchange of messages," Baqaei told state television.

The US military boarded Iranian-flagged oil tanker M/T Celestial Sea in the Gulf of Oman and redirected it after suspecting it was attempting to breach the American blockade, US Central Command said in a post on X. Central Command added that US forces have now redirected 91 commercial ships to ensure compliance with the blockade.

Ben Gvir on Wednesday posted a video on X showing detained flotilla activists kneeling with their hands tied behind their backs and their foreheads on the ground, captioned "Welcome to Israel," with the Israeli national anthem playing. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the treatment "violates human dignity" and Italy summoned the Israeli ambassador. Germany's ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, called Ben Gvir's treatment "wholly unacceptable and incompatible with the basic values of our countries." French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot summoned the Israeli ambassador in Paris over the video, saying "Mr. Ben Gvir's actions towards the passengers of the Global Sumud flotilla, denounced by his own colleagues in the Israeli government, are unacceptable." British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said she was "truly appalled" by the video and demanded an explanation from Israeli authorities. The Netherlands and Canada also said they would summon the Israeli ambassador.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Ben Gvir's actions "is not in line with Israel's values and norms," while Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar wrote on X: "You knowingly caused harm to our state with this disgraceful display — and not for the first time."

In a separate development, Israel's parliament voted 110-0 in a preliminary vote to dissolve itself, a step toward early elections. The measure must pass three more readings before taking effect; if approved, elections would be triggered after 90 days.

Lebanon's Health Ministry said at least 19 people were killed and 32 injured by Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday, with several children among the dead. Strikes hit targets in the village of Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, the city of Nabatiyeh, and across the Tyre district.