TEHRAN: New US Strikes Hit Iranian Military Sites Amid Rising Tensions
In the early hours of Friday, the United States launched new strikes targeting Iranian military positions, marking the thirteenth consecutive night of conflict in the region. President Donald Trump stated that the US would utilize frozen Iranian assets to compensate for any damage to shipping caused by the ongoing clashes.
The recent strikes come after the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen escalated their assaults on oil tankers in the Red Sea, opening a new front in the ongoing conflict. Although the US Central Command (CENTCOM) did not explicitly link its military actions to the Houthi blockade, their timing suggests growing concerns over regional security.
Reports from Iranian state media noted that missiles struck the southwestern city of Ahvaz, with blasts reported in nearby Omidiyeh, along with the port city of Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM emphasized that the targeted strikes were intended to hold Iran accountable and reduce threats posed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to commercial shipping.
As tensions mounted, oil prices surged significantly, with the international benchmark Brent crude surpassing $100 a barrel for the first time since May, reflecting increasing alarm among global leaders regarding the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
“The situation is escalating rapidly,” warned UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He cautioned that one crisis leads to another, compounding the dangers in the region.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde expressed concerns that this energy crisis might worsen, potentially driving inflation higher and fueling speculation about interest rate hikes in the eurozone.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius warned of severe repercussions for nations reliant on oil imports and stated that there are no signs of a ceasefire or peace emerging from the chaos.
After a brief ceasefire, fighting resumed in the region, as both Iran and the United States vie for influence over the critical Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s army spokesperson, Mohammad Akraminia, stated that retaliatory responses will persist as long as US attacks continue.
In a significant escalation, the Houthis declared a blockade on Saudi ports and claimed responsibility for missile strikes on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.
Kuwait reported intercepting drone attacks aimed at its border with Iraq, stating that no casualties occurred. The country also indicated that its air defenses intercepted multiple hostile missile and drone threats attributed to Iranian aggression.
On social media, President Trump announced that the US would utilize frozen Iranian assets to cover any damages linked to maritime incidents in the region.
The conflict is drawing increasing scrutiny from Americans, with midterm elections approaching. The US House of Representatives recently passed a symbolic vote, backed by some opposition Democrats and a few Republicans, urging the president to put an end to the war.
As tensions escalate, Oman has expressed deep concern and is trying to facilitate renewed dialogue between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that the Houthis had been manipulated into their recent actions against shipping routes, indicating a complex web of conflicts at play.
