Kathmandu: Senior Iranian officials have warned that the current calm with Israel is only a temporary pause and that a fresh conflict could erupt at any moment.

First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said the situation following June’s 12-day war is merely a “phase of cessation of hostilities.” He stated, “We must be prepared for a confrontation at any moment. We are not even in a ceasefire.”

The June conflict saw Israel bomb Iranian military and nuclear facilities, killing more than 1,000 people, while Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes that caused significant damage in Israel.

Yahya Rahim Safavi, military advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, echoed similar concerns, saying Iran is “planning for the worst” and warning that war could resume at any time.

Meanwhile, Western nations have accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons. The UN nuclear watchdog reported that Iran is enriching uranium up to 60 percent, far beyond the 3.67 percent cap under the 2015 nuclear deal. Weapons-grade enrichment requires 90 percent.

In response, Britain, France, and Germany—signatories to the 2015 accord—have threatened to reinstate previously lifted sanctions. Some Iranian officials have even suggested withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, a move that could have severe global repercussions.