A Tehran lawmaker has warned they were “practically on the brink of World War III” as tensions rise with the US, according to reports.

Kamran Ghazanfari, a Tehran representative in the parliament, warned that the expansion of war with Russia and Ukraine, as well as increased tensions between world powers, was grounds for the formation of a widespread conflict, according to Iran International.

It comes as Brent crude prices surged past $100 a barrel on Wednesday as escalating conflict in the Middle East have fuelled worries about ⁠energy-driven inflation ahead of several major central bank decisions.

The US military destroyed five Iranian oil tankers – four in the Gulf of Oman and one near Kharg Island – in retaliation for repeated missile strikes on a Navy warship.

Meanwhile, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels have attacked several cities in Saudi Arabia, wounding at least 73 people and knocking operations at energy facilities offline, the Saudi-led coalition said on Tuesday in a further sign of the conflict spreading as diplomacy stalls. The coalition vowed a firm response to the attacks.

Read More: Tehran says Middle East ‘on brink of World War Three’ after both sides trade strikes