The conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel escalated sharply Friday, with hostilities spreading across the Gulf and raising fears of a sustained disruption to global energy markets. Iran launched a wave of missile and drone strikes targeting critical oil and gas infrastructure in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, signaling a shift toward economic warfare aimed at energy supply chains. The widening scope of attacks has heightened concerns that the conflict is evolving into a broader regional war with global economic consequences.
Iran's latest offensive included a strike on Kuwait's Mina al-Ahmadi refinery, which triggered fires and forced fresh shutdowns affecting oil output, according to Associated Press. The outlet reported that multiple energy facilities across the Gulf region were either damaged or forced to halt operations as a precaution, compounding pressure on already strained supply routes. In parallel, Israeli forces intensified their campaign, striking Iran's South Pars gas field, one of the world's largest, and carrying out attacks in Tehran that caused large explosions and infrastructure damage. Interceptions of incoming missiles and drones were reported over Dubai, Bahrain and parts of Saudi Arabia, underscoring the expanding geographic reach of the conflict.
