Iran's Quds Force chief Qaani warns US, Israel against escalation in Gaza, Lebanon

<img align='right' src='https://images.jpost.com/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy/q_auto/c_fill,g_faces:center,h_3515,w_5273/716976' alt='IRGC Quds Force chief Esmail Qaani pictured in Tehran, Iran, February 17, 2026; illustrative. (photo credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)' title='IRGC Quds Force chief Esmail Qaani pictured in Tehran, Iran, February 17, 2026; illustrative. (photo credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)' /><br />Qaani threatened that if the US or Israel did escalate militarily in Gaza and Lebanon, new fronts could open, and traffic in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait could mirror the situation in the Strait of Hormuz<br />