Iran escalates attacks on infrastructure and transport networks across the Gulf
Iran Escalates Attacks on Gulf Infrastructure and Transport
On Wednesday, Iran intensified its attacks on civilian infrastructure and transport systems throughout the Gulf region. The country targeted commercial vessels navigating the Gulf and struck Dubai’s international airport, while US and Israeli warplanes continued their strikes on Iranian sites. The conflict, now in its 12th day, has entered a new phase of sustained aggression, with both sides reporting increased military activity.
The UN refugee agency reported that over 759,000 people in Lebanon have been displaced internally, and more than 92,000 have fled to Syria. Meanwhile, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia confirmed intercepting Iranian drones and missiles, respectively, as the region braced for heightened tensions. In a symbolic show of defiance, large crowds gathered in Tehran and other cities for funerals of Iranian commanders killed in recent airstrikes.
Leaders Wounded in US-Israeli Strikes
Iranian officials disclosed for the first time that the nation’s new leader sustained injuries during the initial US-Israeli offensive. The 56-year-old, whose family was also struck, has remained absent from public view since the conflict began. Alireza Salarian, Tehran’s ambassador to Cyprus, confirmed the wounds but provided no specifics, stating, “I think he is in the hospital because he is injured.”
“I have heard that he was injured in his legs and hand and arm … I think he is in the hospital because he is injured,” Alireza Salarian told the Guardian.
Despite international calls for a pause, US and Israeli decision-makers signaled their intent to continue the campaign. Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, emphasized that the joint offensive against Iran would persist “without any time limit” until all objectives are met. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump shifted his stance, initially calling the conflict a “short-term excursion” but later stating that “we haven’t won enough” in a single speech.
Global Economic Concerns Rise
World leaders worry about economic fallout from rising oil prices, which could destabilize markets. During a G7 meeting, Trump praised the “tremendous impact” of decisions made by the group, though it remained unclear what exactly he referenced. The IEA recently recommended releasing 400 million barrels of oil, the largest such move in its history, to ease price pressures. However, the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil transit route, remains a hotspot for attacks.
“I think we are having a tremendous impact, unbelievable actually, on the world,” Trump said, following remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Three additional merchant ships were struck by unknown projectiles on Wednesday, bringing the total to 14 since the war began. Crews were evacuated from a Thai-flagged vessel after an explosion ignited a fire, while a Japanese and Marshall Islands-flagged ship also suffered damage. With hundreds of tankers now blockaded behind the Iranian coast, the region faces its most severe energy disruption since the 1970s oil crises.
The Revolutionary Guards vowed to prevent “a single litre of oil” from passing through the strait, underscoring their commitment to escalate the conflict. As the battle rages on, the Gulf’s energy lifelines remain under threat, with global repercussions looming.