Iran has increased its attacks on civilian infrastructure and transportation systems in Gulf countries.
It has targeted commercial ships and even attempted to strike Dubai’s international airport. These actions happened at the same time that the United States and Israel launched new airstrikes against Iran.
Senior Iranian officials warned that the conflict could turn into a long “war of attrition.” They said this could cause serious global economic problems, especially if energy supplies from the region are disrupted.
The conflict has now lasted about 12 days and appears to be at a stalemate. Violence continues across the Middle East. Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, while Iran and Hezbollah are launching missiles and rockets toward Israel.
Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have reportedly killed at least 634 people and injured 1,586 in less than ten days. The Lebanese government says more than 816,700 families have been displaced by the fighting.
On Wednesday night, Israeli warplanes carried out attacks on southern Beirut and southern Lebanon. This happened after Hezbollah launched drones and rockets toward northern Israel.
The rockets were fired at the same time as Iranian missiles. This is the first time since the start of the war that Iran and Hezbollah have coordinated attacks against Israel.
In the Gulf region, Kuwait said its air defense systems intercepted eight Iranian drones. Saudi Arabia also reported shooting down five drones that were heading toward the Shaybah oil field.
Meanwhile, large crowds gathered in Tehran and other Iranian cities for the funerals of senior Iranian military commanders who were killed in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes since the war began.
Mourners carried coffins and held flags and pictures of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed at the beginning of the U.S.–Israeli offensive.
