Iran warns war could spread to Indian Ocean if US attacks again
On September 23, 2026, Yahya Rahim Safavi, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader, warned that Tehran may expand the Middle East war to the Indian Ocean if the United States launches further attacks. Speaking in a video released by Iran's Fars news agency, Safavi said the conflict, which has already spread from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea, could reach the Indian Ocean - home to the strategic US-British base at Diego Garcia - and potentially go beyond. Iran has locked down the Strait of Hormuz off its coast in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes that triggered the wider conflict in February. Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthis, who receive Iranian backing though Tehran denies direct involvement, have seized control of the Red Sea coastline and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key chokepoint linking Asia to Europe via the Suez Canal. The United States and Iran are now competing for control of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global oil and gas shipments. Officials from both sides held talks in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this week, with Iran demanding sanctions relief and the release of frozen assets as conditions for ending the war. For Nigerians, an expansion of hostilities into the Indian Ocean could disrupt global shipping routes, push up crude oil prices, and raise the cost of imported goods and fuel. Higher transportation costs may translate into more expensive food, energy, and consumer items across Nigeria. If the conflict widens, how might rising oil prices affect your household budget or business operations, and what steps could you take now to mitigate potential impacts?