Russian General Warns Middle East War Could Escalate, Says Israel’s Survival at Risk

Russian General Warns Middle East Conflict Could Escalate, Says Israel Risks Its Survival

The conflict in West Asia could intensify further and potentially threaten Israel’s existence as a state, Russian Lieutenant General Apti Alaudinov has claimed.

Alaudinov, deputy chief of the Russian Armed Forces’ Main Military-Political Department and commander of the Akhmat special forces unit, made the remarks in an interview with Russia’s state-run TASS news agency, according to ANI.

He said the war in the Middle East was likely to become more intense and accused Israel of attempting to broaden the confrontation by involving the United States and NATO.

“We must realise that the war in the Middle East will only escalate,” Alaudinov said.

He alleged that Israel was seeking to expand the conflict and draw Washington and the wider NATO alliance into the confrontation. According to the Russian general, such a strategy could ultimately prove counterproductive.

“I believe that is precisely Israel’s objective to ramp up the conflict as much as possible and drag both the US and the entire NATO bloc into it. They are good at this. Ultimately, they will overestimate their strength and cease to exist as a state,” he said.

His comments come as military tensions continue across West Asia, with the confrontation involving the United States and Iran remaining a major focus.

Trump Reportedly Puts Iran Talks on Hold

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has reportedly instructed his negotiating team to pause discussions with Iran until Tehran is prepared to reach a deal, Al Jazeera reported, according to ANI.

A US official told the broadcaster that Washington had been engaged in “positive talks” with Iran but that Trump had decided to wait before moving forward. The official also said there was no disagreement within the administration over diplomatic engagement with Tehran.

Trump had earlier disputed Iran’s position regarding the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that a US naval blockade remained in place while the strategic waterway continued to operate.

“There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Naval Blockade remains in full force and effect. The Hormuz Strait is open and operating,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

He also claimed that naval mines in the area had been removed or detonated.

Iran Parliament Speaker Criticises US Officials

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, meanwhile, criticised senior US officials over Washington’s approach towards negotiations with Tehran.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf criticised US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, accusing Washington of believing that greater economic and military pressure could force Iran to accept demands beyond the existing agreement.

“Americans think squeezing Iran harder will win concessions that were never part of the agreement,” Ghalibaf said, while accusing the two officials of misjudging the situation.

The latest statements reflect the widening diplomatic divide as Washington and Tehran remain at odds over the terms and future of negotiations amid continuing military tensions in the region.