DUBAI, March 27: Israel launched a new wave of strikes on Iran on Friday, further escalating a conflict that has rapidly expanded across the Middle East.
The attacks came even as US President Donald Trump said negotiations to end the war were “going very well,” though there is little evidence of progress on the ground.
Iran has shown no signs of backing down and continues to retaliate with missile and drone strikes.
Air raid sirens were heard across Israel as its military worked to intercept incoming Iranian missiles, part of what has become a daily exchange of fire.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said the country’s attacks would “escalate and expand,” accusing Iran of continuing to target Israeli civilians despite repeated warnings.
Israeli forces said Friday’s strikes hit weapons production facilities in Tehran, including sites linked to ballistic missiles, along with launchers and storage facilities in western Iran.
The conflict is no longer confined to the two countries. Iran has extended its attacks to Gulf states, triggering air raid sirens in Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted missiles and drones aimed at its capital, Riyadh. Kuwait reported material damage to key ports, including the China-linked Mubarak Al Kabeer Port, marking the first time a project associated with China’s Belt and Road initiative has been struck during the war.
At the center of the crisis is the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
Iran’s effective control over the strait has disrupted maritime traffic and raised fears of a global energy crisis.
Oil prices have surged sharply, with Brent crude rising more than 45 percent since the war began in late February.
The United States has proposed a 15-point ceasefire plan that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz and limiting Iran’s nuclear program. However, Iran has rejected the proposal and instead offered its own terms, demanding reparations and recognition of its sovereignty over the waterway.
Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with countries like Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan attempting to broker talks, but Iran insists it is not currently engaged in negotiations.
Even as Washington calls for diplomacy, it has significantly increased its military presence in the region. Thousands of additional US troops, including Marines and paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division, have been deployed, raising concerns that the US could become more directly involved in the conflict.
The humanitarian impact is growing rapidly. Thousands of people have been killed across Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and neighboring regions, with extensive damage to homes, hospitals, and schools.
Aid agencies warn that millions could be displaced if the fighting continues, potentially triggering a wider regional crisis.
Despite mounting international pressure and economic fallout, including falling global stock markets and rising energy costs, there is no clear path to de-escalation.
The conflict continues to intensify both militarily and geographically, while diplomatic efforts remain stalled. (AP)
