DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Persistent Iranian strikes targeting maritime traffic and energy facilities drove crude oil beyond $100 per barrel Thursday, while U.S. and Israeli forces continued bombardments against the Islamic Republic amid an ongoing conflict with no resolution in view.
Tehran struck a cargo vessel near Dubai’s coastline, ignited fires close to Bahrain’s main airport, launched drone strikes at a significant Saudi petroleum facility, and compelled Iraq to suspend all operations at the nation’s oil export terminals following an assault on Basra port along the Persian Gulf.
The Islamic Republic disregarded a United Nations Security Council measure passed the day before calling for cessation of strikes against neighboring Gulf states, with fresh assaults also documented in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
Warning alarms sounded in the pre-dawn hours across Jerusalem after Israeli officials reported efforts to intercept incoming missiles fired from Iran. The nation simultaneously declared it had initiated a “wide-scale wave of strikes” targeting Tehran. In Lebanon, where Israeli forces claim to be engaging Iran-affiliated Hezbollah fighters, 11 individuals perished in two early morning bombardments.
Following the February 28 assault on Iran by the United States and Israel that triggered the current war, Tehran has launched a strategy designed to create sufficient worldwide economic pressure to force them to cease their military operations.
Beyond striking energy installations throughout the region, Iran maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial maritime passage connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean that handles approximately one-fifth of global oil transportation.
With shipping through the Strait essentially halted, Brent crude oil prices, the global benchmark, climbed an additional 9% Thursday to exceed $100 per barrel, representing a 38% increase since hostilities began.
The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution Wednesday calling for an end to Iran’s “egregious attacks” on Gulf neighbors, though Tehran displayed no indication of altering its approach.
Thursday morning brought news of a container vessel struck by projectile fire off Dubai’s coast, causing minor fire damage, according to the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center. Officials confirmed the ship’s crew remained unharmed.
In Bahrain, an early Iranian assault triggered extensive fires on Muharraq Island, location of the nation’s primary airport. Officials advised residents to remain inside and seal windows to avoid smoke exposure. The airport houses aviation fuel storage, while additional tanks in the vicinity support the kingdom’s petroleum sector.
Kuwait’s Defense Ministry reported an Iranian drone crashed into a residential structure, injuring two civilians, while the UAE announced activating air defenses twice to shield Dubai from incoming attacks, and emergency crews extinguished flames at a Dubai Creek Harbor tower following a drone impact.
Saudi Arabia confirmed intercepting a drone aimed at Riyadh’s diplomatic district and reported downing additional drones in the kingdom’s eastern regions, including at least one attempting to strike the Shaybah oil field in the Empty Quarter desert.
After an attack on Iraq’s Basra port that claimed at least one life, officials announced Thursday they were compelled to cease operations at all national oil terminals.
Farhan al-Fartousi, director-general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, explained the assault targeted a vessel in the Persian Gulf port’s ship-to-ship transfer zone.
Air raid sirens and powerful explosions echoed through Jerusalem and surrounding Israeli areas shortly after midnight. Israeli military officials announced they were responding with another “wide-scale wave of strikes” in Tehran.
Nighttime rocket launches from Iran and Hezbollah forced Israelis into shelters across multiple regions, including Tel Aviv and the northern Lebanese border area.
An Israeli strike Thursday hit a vehicle in Ramlet al-Bayda, a prominent beachfront tourist district of Beirut where numerous displaced individuals have sought refuge. Eight people died and 31 sustained injuries, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Israeli military representatives told The Associated Press they were “not aware” of conducting strikes at that location.
In Aramoun, located approximately 10 kilometers south of Beirut, three additional fatalities and one injured child resulted from another early Israeli attack.
Lebanese Health Ministry figures from Wednesday indicate at least 634 people have died in Lebanon since the current fighting commenced.
The U.N. refugee agency reported at least 759,000 people have been internally displaced within Lebanon.
Iranian officials state more than 1,300 people have been killed in their country, while Israel has confirmed 12 deaths. The United States has lost seven service members with another eight suffering serious injuries.
