The Middle East conflict intensified early Monday as Israeli strikes hit Beirut and Tehran, while a drone strike near Dubai International Airport forced authorities to temporarily suspend flights after a fuel tank caught fire.
The war began following US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28 and has since expanded across the region. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, US military bases and energy infrastructure in Gulf countries.
The escalation has also disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime corridor through which around one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally passes, raising fears of a global energy crisis.
Energy markets reacted quickly, with Brent crude remaining above $100 per barrel, reaching around $104 in early trading, nearly 45% higher since the start of the conflict and previously peaking close to $120.
Drone Strike Disrupts Dubai Airport
Early Monday, a drone struck a fuel tank near Dubai International Airport, causing a large fire and forcing the temporary suspension of flights. Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control, and no injuries were reported.
Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones toward Gulf countries hosting US military assets, although many have been intercepted by air defence systems.
Regional Attacks Intensify
Israel said it targeted Hezbollah-linked infrastructure in Beirut, issuing evacuation orders for several neighborhoods in the Lebanese capital and southern Lebanon. More than 800,000 people have been displaced, and at least 850 people have been killed, including 107 children and 66 women.
Explosions were also reported in Tehran and nearby areas after Israeli strikes targeted infrastructure in the Iranian capital. According to the Red Cross, more than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran since the conflict began.
In Israel, 12 people have been killed by Iranian missile strikes, while 13 US military personnel have died, including six in a plane crash in Iraq last week.
Pressure Over the Strait of Hormuz
US President Donald Trump said he had asked several countries to deploy warships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, although no commitments have yet been announced. Countries previously mentioned include China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected speculation about negotiations to end the conflict, stating that Iran seeks “neither truce nor talks.”
Meanwhile, Japan has begun releasing strategic oil reserves to address concerns about supply shortages and rising prices.
Analysts warn that a prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could have significant consequences for global energy supply and the world economy.
Source: Newstimehub
