Doha
Iran has warned that any United States intervention in the conflict with Israel would risk an “all-out war” as the two sides traded attacks for a sixth straight day. Intense Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran's capital early Wednesday in a conflict that a human rights group said had killed at least 585 people across Iran and wounded 1,326 others.
The Washington-based group Human Rights Activists said it had identified 239 of those killed in Israeli strikes as civilians and 126 as security personnel.
In an interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei warned: “Any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war in the region.”
“We have very good relations with Arab countries, and they are very cognisant of the fact that Israel has been trying to drag others into the war. … We are sure our Arab countries hosting US bases would not allow their territory to be used against their Muslim neighbours,” he added.
US President Donald Trump, who initially distanced himself from the Israeli attacks, has since hinted at greater US involvement in the conflict, saying he wants something “much bigger” than a ceasefire. The US has sent more warplanes to the region and is also sending the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier.
Thousands of American soldiers are based in nearby countries within range of Iran’s weapons. The US, however, has threatened a massive response to any attack. On Tuesday, Trump demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender”.
He also boasted that the United States could easily assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.