Yahya Rahim Safavi, adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, stated that hostilities could expand beyond the Persian Gulf into the Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Indian Ocean if the US or Israel initiates further attacks on Iranian interests. Brent oil futures climbed 2.2% to reach a session high of $105.38 per barrel following the warning that a new theater of operations could emerge in these regions.

The escalation follows increased tension over major international shipping routes. Data shows only 10 commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, underscoring the sensitivity of regional transit to further geographical expansion of the conflict.