In a dramatic escalation of Middle East hostilities, the Israeli military has launched a “broad-scale wave of strikes” targeting Tehran, following reports of explosions in the western part of Iran’s capital. The move comes after Iran fired missiles towards Israel, intensifying fears of a wider regional conflict.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the detection of Iranian missile launches aimed at Israel, while explosions were also reported in Tel Aviv’s commercial areas, signaling a volatile and rapidly escalating situation.
Iran Rejects Foreign Interference in Leadership
Amid rising tensions, Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani condemned US attempts to influence Tehran’s leadership succession. Responding to President Donald Trump’s comments about involvement in selecting the next supreme leader after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death, Iravani said,
“The selection of Iran’s leadership will take place strictly according to our constitutional procedures and solely by the will of the Iranian people, without any foreign interference.”
US Accelerates Weapons Production
The United States has ramped up its defense production, with major companies agreeing to quadruple output of advanced weapons, according to Trump. The US military reported striking more than 3,000 targets in just the first week of the conflict.
Oil Markets React
Global oil prices have surged sharply amid fears of supply disruption. Brent crude jumped to US$92.69 (RM365) per barrel, rising 8.5% in a single day and nearly 30% over the past week, reflecting the instability affecting one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
Rockets Target Baghdad Airport
Rockets struck the Baghdad airport complex, home to a US military base and diplomatic facilities. The attack was claimed by Saraya Awliyaa al-Dam, a shadowy group linked to Iran-backed militias in Iraq.
US Returns Fallen Soldiers
The United States is repatriating six soldiers killed in an Iranian drone strike on a military command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. President Trump is attending the dignified transfer, marking the first US fatalities from the ongoing conflict.
UN Peacekeepers Wounded in Lebanon
Several Ghanaian UN peacekeepers were injured in southern Lebanon amid continued Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions, underscoring the war’s spillover effects across the region.
Trump Demands “Unconditional Surrender”
Trump has declared that Iran must surrender unconditionally as the only path to peace, promising to assist in rebuilding its economy if it complies—signaling a potential shift toward broader US objectives beyond missile programs and naval control.
UN Warns of Regional Catastrophe
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the ongoing “unlawful attacks” and cautioned that the war could spiral out of control, posing serious threats to civilian lives and the global economy.
Strait of Hormuz Nearly Shuts Down
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for roughly 20% of the world’s crude oil and LNG, has seen only nine commercial ships transit since Monday, highlighting the severe disruption to global energy supply.
International Responses
France has deployed a helicopter carrier and frigate to the Mediterranean, while Lebanon reports 217 deaths and 300,000 displaced, as Israeli airstrikes devastate Hezbollah-controlled areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Explosions near Erbil airport in Iraqi Kurdistan and an attack on a US-run oil field have forced a temporary halt to oil production, further underscoring the conflict’s escalating reach.
