Aden — In the wake of a newly brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Ali Akbar Velayati, a top foreign policy advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, posted a message on the platform X (formerly Twitter) that has drawn widespread attention and concern across the Middle East.

“The beginning of the ceasefire in Gaza may mean the end of a ceasefire somewhere else,” Velayati wrote, tagging #Yemen, #Iraq, and #Lebanon. The statement, though brief, was widely interpreted as a warning of potential escalation in proxy conflict zones where Iran maintains strategic influence through allied groups.

The post comes amid heightened tensions in the region, as Iranian-backed factions—including the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and various militias in Iraq—have expressed solidarity with Palestinian factions and threatened retaliation against Israeli and Western interests.

In Yemen, the Houthis have already intensified drone and missile attacks in recent weeks, targeting Red Sea shipping lanes and expressing support for the Palestinian cause. Similar mobilizations have been reported in southern Lebanon and parts of Iraq, raising fears of a multi-front escalation.

Velayati’s post has sparked debate within diplomatic circles, with some viewing it as a deterrent message aimed at Israel and its allies, while others see it as a provocative move that could undermine fragile ceasefires and peace efforts in conflict zones.

The Iranian government has not issued an official clarification, but state-affiliated media echoed Velayati’s sentiment, framing the Gaza ceasefire as a temporary pause that may not extend to other theaters of resistance.

As the international community welcomes the truce in Gaza, Velayati’s statement serves as a stark reminder that regional stability remains fragile, and that the end of one conflict may mark the beginning—or resumption—of others.