IRGC warns it will widen the war and deploy “new weapons” if U.S. strikes resume

# What happened

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) publicly warned on Sept. 21 that it will widen the scope of the conflict and deploy "new weapons with new capabilities" if the United States or Israel resumes attacks. IRGC spokesperson Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohibi made the comment in an interview on state-owned Al-Alam TV, saying the world would be surprised but offering no technical details or named destinations.

# Context and recent timeline

The confrontation traces to a war that erupted on Feb. 28, during which Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel and countries hosting U.S. forces, including Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Attacks resumed after the U.S. restarted strikes against Iran in early September. Tehran and Washington had signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18 intended to end the war on all fronts, but exchanges of fire and diplomatic deadlock have continued.

# Military warnings and rhetoric

Beyond Mohibi's remarks, Iran's General Staff issued a statement warning of "more defeats" for the U.S., Israel and their allies, and said attacks on Iran would prompt strikes on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East. Mohibi also claimed the U.S. had failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz despite having the world's largest navy and described the U.S. as having suffered "a historic and humiliating defeat" in its war with Iran.

# Regional implications

# U.S. reactions and travel warnings

# What was not specified

Iranian officials stopped short of naming new weapon types, specific new targets, or which countries beyond Israel and U.S.-host nations might be hit. Mohibi said only that the IRGC had "prepared for a prolonged war" and would defend the country against escalation.

# Why this matters now

The statements raise the risk of a wider, more unpredictable conflict: unspecified new weapons and promises to change the war's geography increase uncertainty for militaries, commercial shipping, regional governments and civilians. The travel advisory, continued attacks on commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, and the involvement of proxy groups mean escalation could have immediate operational and economic effects across the Middle East and on global energy markets.

# Short takeaways

• Iran has threatened a broadened campaign with unspecified new weapons if U.S. or Israeli strikes resume.
• The conflict has already affected multiple Gulf states and commercial shipping routes.
• Official warnings and travel alerts signal elevated risk for Americans and international interests in the region.