By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Iran Attacks Gulf Targets as Oil Prices Rise
Explosions were reported across Beirut early Monday after Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on the Lebanese capital.
Israel also launched another round of attacks on Tehran, while authorities in Dubai temporarily shut down the city’s international airport after an Iranian drone struck a fuel tank nearby.
The conflict, which escalated after the United States and Israel carried out strikes on Iran more than two weeks ago, has continued to spread across the region.
Since those attacks, Iran has been launching drones and missiles at Israel, American military bases and energy infrastructure in several Gulf Arab countries.
Tensions have also disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil routes. A large portion of global crude exports passes through the narrow waterway, and the recent attacks have slowed tanker traffic, raising concerns about energy supplies.
Oil prices have climbed sharply since the fighting began. Brent crude was trading above $100 a barrel on Monday, reaching about $104 in early trading. Prices have risen significantly since the February 28 strikes and briefly approached $120 during the height of the tensions.
In Washington, the rising cost of fuel is becoming a political concern. President Donald Trump said he had asked several countries to deploy naval forces to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open for shipping.
Speaking to reporters while returning to Washington aboard Air Force One, he said he had requested assistance from around seven countries but had not yet received firm commitments.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed reports suggesting Tehran might be seeking negotiations to end the war.
In a message posted on social media early Monday, he said claims that Iran was considering talks were “delusional,” adding that the country was not interested in a ceasefire.
“Our armed forces will continue their operations until the American president realizes that the war imposed on both Iranians and Americans is wrong and must not be repeated,” he wrote.
In the United Arab Emirates, a drone strike early Monday hit a fuel tank near Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest hub for international travel.
The impact caused a large fire, but emergency teams were able to contain the flames. Authorities said there were no injuries, though flights were temporarily suspended.
Since the conflict began, Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones toward Gulf countries that host US military assets.
Officials in the UAE say most of the projectiles have been intercepted by air defense systems, although some debris and a few drones have fallen inside the country.
Iran has accused the UAE of allowing its territory to be used to launch attacks against Iran, an accusation Emirati officials have denied, saying their actions have been defensive.
Saudi Arabia also reported intercepting another wave of drones targeting its eastern region, where many of the kingdom’s major oil facilities are located.
Israel’s military said Iran fired additional missiles toward Israel overnight. Israeli officials say some of the weapons include cluster bombs that release smaller explosives over a wide area, making them harder to intercept and increasing the risk of damage across multiple locations.
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