The escalating tensions between Iran and the United States could lead to a new worldwide nuclear catastrophe, former Cuban leader Fidel Castro warned on Monday, Xinhua reported.
If the United States and its allies try to inspect Iranian ships, "they will receive the proper answer," local media quoted an article written by Castro as saying.
"I have no doubt that as soon as U.S. and Israeli warships try to inspect the first Iranian cargo ship ... it will be the exact moment when the terrible war will begin," Castro said in the article, dubbed "Knowing the truth in time."
"A disaster" is coming "quickly" and a war would start even before the quarter-final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, he added.
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution earlier this month imposing new sanctions against Iran over its controversial nuclear program, including restrictions on its shipping and air cargo operations.
Castro handed over power to his brother Raul due to health problems in 2006 and has since devoted himself to editorials on major world issues.