Iran Attacks Gulf Oil Facilities and Tankers as Regional Conflict Escalates

The conflict between the United States and Iran intensified over the last 24 hours as Iran launched a series of coordinated drone and missile strikes against regional targets. Major infrastructure, including airports and oil terminals in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain, faced direct hits, leading to significant operations shutdowns. Maritime security reached a critical point after three oil tankers were struck in the Persian Gulf and off the UAE coast, causing at least one death and sparking fires that have disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The economic impact of the escalation is mounting rapidly. Oil prices have climbed past $100 per barrel as Oman and Iraq closed terminals in response to the volatility. In Washington, Pentagon briefings revealed that U.S. military expenditures for the conflict have already topped $11 billion. Meanwhile, humanitarian concerns are rising; Iranian officials report nearly 1,350 civilian deaths from U.S.-Israeli bombings, and the Pentagon has admitted to an accidental strike on a school. On the leadership front, reports have emerged regarding the health of Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. Tehran's ambassador to Cyprus confirmed Khamenei sustained injuries to his limbs during a February 28 strike that also killed six family members. In Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu held his first press conference of the war to address the ongoing security situation, including cyber threats and persistent rocket barrages from Hezbollah that have forced millions of citizens into shelters.