As the ongoing war in the Middle East enters its fifth day, Iran has claimed ‘full control’ over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial artery for global energy supplies. Meanwhile, Israel has announced it has launched new attacks on Iran and Lebanon, signaling a further escalation in regional tensions.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned that any vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz could be at risk of missile or drone attacks. The Strait of Hormuz is considered a highly sensitive maritime route for global oil and gas supplies. US President Donald Trump has stated that the US Navy is ready to escort oil tankers.
The Guards also claimed to have fired more than 40 missiles at American and Israeli targets. Against the backdrop of the war, Iran has announced that the three-day state funeral for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will begin on Wednesday evening. Iran claims Khamenei was killed in a US-Israeli attack on Saturday, after which the conflict intensified. Israel’s Defense Minister has warned that potential successors could also become ‘targets for assassination’.
Air raid sirens sounded in various parts of Israel, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, following missile launches from Iran on Wednesday morning. The Israeli military stated it was working to neutralize the threats. While reports emerged of a fire near Jerusalem, no immediate casualty figures were available.
Separately, Sri Lanka has reported that an Iranian frigate, with a crew of 180, sank outside its territorial waters. The cause remains unknown. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister informed that ships and aircraft have been dispatched to rescue 30 Iranian sailors aboard the IRIS Dena.
Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads US military forces in the Middle East, stated that approximately 2,000 targets in Iran have been struck so far. According to him, Iran’s air defense structure has been severely damaged, with hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers, and drones destroyed.
AFP correspondents reported sounds of explosions in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, as attacks and rocket fire were exchanged between Israel and Hezbollah. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that at least six people were killed and eight wounded in Israeli attacks on two towns in the southern suburbs of Beirut. State media reported five more deaths from attacks on Beirut’s Hazmiyeh suburb and the eastern city of Baalbek.
Saudi Arabia announced it had intercepted two cruise missiles and nine drones in the southern region of the capital, Riyadh. A security source in Iraq reported that a drone was shot down near Baghdad International Airport. Qatar stated it had dismantled two spy cells linked to the Revolutionary Guards and arrested ten suspects.
The Israeli military said it had launched a ‘widespread assault’ on Iran, claiming to have struck dozens of targets, including a security command center in Tehran. Eyewitnesses reported a fire following a drone attack on the US consulate in Dubai.
The US State Department has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and their families from Saudi Arabia and Oman, citing security reasons. It also announced it has arranged charter flights to evacuate American citizens from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The impact of the war is also being felt in global markets. Asian stock markets saw sharp declines, with Seoul’s stock index falling more than 12 percent. Meanwhile, crude oil prices surged.
