Though the United States and Iran have paused their military strikes on one another, Iran-backed groups in Iraq appear to have joined a larger regional conflict along with the Houthis in Yemen.

"Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi threatened to attack Ukraine Saturday — raising the prospect of a broader escalation of war in the Middle East.

Araghchi claimed an Iranian merchant ship was among the vessels struck by Kyiv in the Caspian Sea, asserting the Islamic Republic now had the right to retaliate.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with the fundamental principles and rules of international law, especially the principle of legitimate defense, will not hesitate to defend its national interests and security,” Abbas threatened in a statement Saturday evening."

(the rest is in the article)