Iran Targets Israel, Gulf States as US Warns Iran of ‘Most Intense Day of Strikes’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and several Gulf countries as tensions escalate across the Middle East. The United States warned Iran that the conflict could see the “most intense day of strikes” yet. Oil markets and global shipping are rattled as the Strait of Hormuz faces major disruptions.
Iran Attacks Israel and Gulf Countries Quick Looks
- Iran launched missile and drone attacks against Israel and Gulf Arab states.
- A drone strike in Bahrain killed one civilian and injured eight others.
- Saudi Arabia and Kuwait intercepted multiple Iranian drones.
- Explosions were reported in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as Israel’s defenses intercepted missiles.
- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned of the “most intense day of strikes” against Iran.
- U.S. forces claim to have hit more than 5,000 targets during the conflict.
- Iran’s leadership rejected ceasefire talks and vowed to continue fighting.
- Oil prices surged as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted.
- Tankers are being rerouted to avoid attacks in the Persian Gulf.
- The war has already killed over 1,600 people across the region.
Deep Look
Regional War Escalates With Iranian Barrages
The Middle East conflict intensified Tuesday as Iran launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and several Gulf Arab nations. The strikes came as the United States warned Tehran that the conflict could soon see its “most intense day of strikes,” signaling further escalation in a war already shaking global energy markets and regional security.
Authorities across the Gulf reported multiple attempted attacks. In Bahrain, officials said an Iranian strike hit a residential building in the capital city of Manama. The attack killed a 29-year-old woman and injured eight others, marking one of the first confirmed civilian casualties in the Gulf since the war expanded beyond Israel.
Saudi Arabia’s defense systems intercepted two drones over its oil-rich eastern region, while Kuwait’s National Guard said it successfully shot down six additional drones headed toward its territory.
The United Arab Emirates also experienced direct fallout from the conflict. Firefighters battled a blaze in the industrial city of Ruwais, a major petrochemical hub, after a drone strike ignited a fire in the area. Officials said no injuries were reported, but the attack highlighted the growing risks to energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf.
Meanwhile, in Israel, sirens echoed across Jerusalem and explosions were heard in Tel Aviv as the country’s missile defense systems attempted to intercept Iranian projectiles.
U.S. Threatens Largest Strikes Yet
The United States signaled that the next phase of the war could involve significantly expanded military action.
Speaking at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that American forces were preparing for a dramatic increase in operations against Iranian targets.
“This will be yet again our most intense day of strikes inside Iran,” Hegseth said, adding that U.S. forces planned to deploy more fighters, bombers and precision attacks than at any previous point in the conflict.
General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the United States had already struck more than 5,000 targets since the conflict began. According to military officials, the operations are focused on three primary objectives:
- Destroying Iran’s ballistic missile and drone capabilities
- Targeting Iranian naval forces to ensure passage through the Strait of Hormuz
- Expanding strikes against Iran’s military and industrial infrastructure
Despite the scale of the attacks, officials said Iran had fired fewer missiles in the last 24 hours than earlier in the conflict.
Tehran Rejects Ceasefire Calls
Iranian officials responded with defiant rhetoric, signaling that Tehran has no intention of backing down.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf wrote on social media that Iran was “definitely not looking for a ceasefire,” framing the conflict as retaliation against aggression from Israel and the United States.
“We believe the aggressor should be punched in the mouth so that he learns a lesson,” Qalibaf said.
Another senior Iranian official, Ali Larijani, directed a warning toward U.S. President Donald Trump, writing that Iran does not fear American threats.
Witnesses in Tehran reported multiple explosions Tuesday afternoon as Israeli aircraft carried out a new round of airstrikes inside the country.
Energy Infrastructure and Oil Routes Under Threat
Beyond direct military targets, Iran has increasingly focused on disrupting energy infrastructure and global shipping routes.
The Strait of Hormuz — a narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman — carries roughly 20% of the world’s oil shipments. Iranian actions in the region have effectively halted tanker traffic, forcing ships to reroute and raising fears of a broader energy crisis.
The International Maritime Organization said attacks on merchant ships near the strait have already killed at least seven sailors.
Oil markets reacted immediately. Brent crude surged close to $120 per barrel earlier in the week before falling slightly to around $90, still nearly 24% higher than when the conflict began on Feb. 28.
Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser warned that prolonged disruptions could have serious consequences for the global economy. Tankers are being rerouted to avoid the strait, while Saudi Arabia is increasing use of its East-West pipeline to transport oil to Red Sea ports.
“The situation at the Strait of Hormuz is blocking sizable volumes of oil from the whole region,” Nasser said. “If this continues, it will significantly impact global markets.”
President Trump also warned Iran against fully blocking the oil route, stating that any attempt to halt energy shipments would trigger overwhelming retaliation from the United States.
Conflict Spreads Across the Region
The war is now affecting multiple countries across the Middle East.
Israel has launched several attacks against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon after the militant group fired missiles into Israeli territory.
In Iraq, Iranian-backed militias have carried out repeated strikes on U.S. military bases. Early Tuesday, an airstrike in the northern city of Kirkuk killed five fighters from the Popular Mobilization Forces’ 40th Brigade and wounded four others. Officials did not immediately confirm who conducted the attack.
Israel’s military also issued new evacuation warnings to residents of southern Lebanon, signaling plans for expanded operations against Hezbollah.
Human Impact of the War
Since the conflict began, casualties have risen sharply across the region.
According to officials:
- At least 1,230 people have been killed in Iran
- 397 deaths have been reported in Lebanon
- 11 people have died in Israel
- Seven U.S. service members have been killed
The war has also produced unusual humanitarian developments. In Australia, five members of Iran’s women’s national soccer team were granted asylum after being stranded abroad when the conflict began.
The players had traveled to Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup tournament before the war erupted. After their team was eliminated, concerns grew about returning to a country under heavy military strikes.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said all 26 players had been offered asylum, though it remains unclear whether the rest of the team will stay or return to Iran.
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