By Staff Reporter
Tehran threatens a powerful response to any new US strikes as fighting intensifies in Yemen and Qatar pushes for Gulf de-escalation
Published: September 21, 2026
Iran has warned that the world will be “astonished” by the weapons it could deploy if the United States launches another attack, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise.
Iranian lawmakers have also submitted a bill calling for the country to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), signalling a further escalation in Tehran’s response to the growing confrontation.
Meanwhile, fighting has intensified in Yemen, with four people reportedly killed in al-Jawf province amid clashes between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces.
The situation around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz also remains tense. A UK maritime agency has maintained a “severe” threat assessment for the area, while independent vessel-tracking data reportedly indicates that significantly fewer ships are passing through the waterway than figures cited by the US military.
Qatar has meanwhile stepped up diplomatic efforts to ease tensions. Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has called for a new regional security framework in the Gulf based on respect for national sovereignty and a commitment by states not to pose threats to one another.
The developments come as regional tensions remain high, with concerns continuing over the potential for the conflict between Iran and the United States to widen and further destabilise the Middle East.
