The United States has launched significant strikes against Iran’s Kharg Island, a critical hub responsible for 90 percent of the nation's oil exports, marking a severe escalation in the ongoing US-Iran conflict. Following these attacks, Tehran has issued a stark warning, threatening to target any facility across the region connected to Washington.

This latest development intensifies a conflict now entering its third week, which has already claimed over 2,000 lives and triggered the largest oil supply disruption ever recorded, sending global prices soaring. The US embassy in Baghdad is urging American citizens to depart Iraq immediately amidst the rising hostilities.

Regional Tensions Mount Amid US-Iran Conflict

US Central Command confirms that its forces struck more than 90 sites on Kharg Island, including naval mine storage facilities and missile bunkers. These actions follow earlier drone attacks that disrupted an energy hub in the United Arab Emirates.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) assert they have targeted US forces stationed at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Kharj base with missile salvos. While Saudi Arabia's defence ministry reported intercepting six ballistic missiles aimed at Al-Kharj, it did not confirm the IRGC's specific claims of a direct hit on a US facility.

The escalation also extends to other regional players. The Kuwaiti military reports that nine hostile drones were fired at the country, with two causing damage to a military site. Jordan's military claims it intercepted 79 missiles and drones launched by Iran during the second week of the conflict, and Iran has reportedly launched a new wave of missiles towards Israel.

Iran's Foreign Minister is appealing to Gulf neighbours and other Middle Eastern nations to "expel foreign aggressors," as reciprocal attacks reverberate throughout the region. An Iranian military spokesperson has urged residents in the UAE to evacuate ports and "American hideouts," alleging that US forces launched attacks on Iranian islands from these areas.

In a separate incident, at least 15 individuals perished when an airstrike hit a refrigerator and heater factory in Iran’s central city of Isfahan. Additionally, some oil-loading operations at the UAE’s Fujairah emirate, a global ship-refuelling hub, have been suspended, with dark smoke plumes visible.

Diplomacy Stalled as US-Iran Conflict Deepens

President Donald Trump has indicated that numerous countries will dispatch warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for 20 percent of the world’s oil. He specifically mentioned China, France, Japan, South Korea, and Britain as potential contributors, vowing that the US would continue "bombing the hell out of the shoreline" and "shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water."

Despite these threats, IRGC naval commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri maintains that the Strait of Hormuz remains under Tehran’s control and has "not yet been militarily closed." He also publicly criticized US claims regarding the destruction of Iran's navy and the escorting of oil tankers.

The Trump administration has reportedly rebuffed diplomatic overtures for ceasefire talks from Middle Eastern allies, including Oman, which had previously mediated discussions. A senior White House official confirmed that President Trump is focused on weakening Tehran’s military capabilities rather than engaging in negotiations.

Amidst the turmoil, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian asserts that the country continues to function normally due to the diligent efforts of government colleagues to maintain essential services. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is calling for the United States and Iran to return to negotiations to prevent further regional escalation.

Source: Dawn - Home