CSTO chief warns US-Iran conflict is becoming a chronic crisis

13:05

By: Azzat Manal

CSTO chief warns US-Iran conflict is becoming a chronic crisis

he prolonged confrontation between the United States and Iran is increasingly becoming a long-term source of instability, according to Talatbek Masadykov, secretary-general of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). He warned that recurring hostilities in the Middle East and the Gulf are bringing areas of insecurity closer to the borders of CSTO member states, including countries in Central Asia.

Speaking at a security conference involving the CSTO, the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Masadykov expressed concern about the wider consequences of the regional crisis. He said the repeated outbreaks of fighting suggested that the US-Iran confrontation was becoming a chronic problem rather than a temporary escalation.

The CSTO chief also highlighted the risks associated with attacks on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, including facilities covered by safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Such strikes, he argued, raise serious concerns about regional stability and the potential security implications of damage to sensitive nuclear sites.

The remarks come amid renewed tensions surrounding Washington’s possible military options against Tehran. According to reports cited by The New York Times, the US military has prepared options for resuming large-scale operations against Iran, including a proposed intensive campaign lasting three days. The reported plans have not, on the information provided, established that a decision to launch such an operation has been made.

US President Donald Trump has also indicated that Washington could consider another strike against Iranian nuclear facilities, including the site referred to as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, also known as Pickaxe Mountain. Reports have separately discussed the possible use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, commonly called the “Mother of All Bombs.” The weapon is a conventional, non-nuclear munition, despite its immense destructive capacity.

For countries in Central Asia, renewed conflict between Washington and Tehran could create security challenges beyond the immediate battlefield. Regional governments are concerned about the spread of instability, the risk of extremist activity and the broader consequences of disruptions affecting neighbouring regions. The CSTO, a security alliance that includes several former Soviet republics, has repeatedly focused on threats that could cross national borders.

Masadykov’s warning reflects growing concern among regional security organisations that a prolonged Middle East crisis could have consequences well beyond Iran and the United States. With military options reportedly under consideration and diplomatic positions still far apart, the risk of further escalation remains a major concern for governments seeking to protect regional stability.