Israel announced on Monday that it has formulated detailed operational plans anticipating at least three additional weeks of military engagement, as its air force intensified overnight strikes targeting multiple locations within Iran. This escalation comes amid a series of Iranian drone attacks that temporarily shut down Dubai International Airport and struck a vital oil facility in the United Arab Emirates, further heightening tensions across the Gulf region.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, now entering its third consecutive week, shows no signs of abating. The hostilities have severely impacted the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass. The disruption of this key artery has contributed to rising global energy prices and sparked widespread concerns about a potential surge in inflation worldwide.
In response to the mounting crisis, U.S. President Donald Trump called on Sunday for the formation of an international coalition aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that the future of the NATO defense alliance could be jeopardized if member nations fail to contribute to securing this vital passage. Despite expressions of diplomatic support, many allied countries have been cautious about committing to direct military involvement in the conflict, reflecting the complex geopolitical stakes at play.
Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, emphasized that Israel has comprehensive plans not only for the immediate weeks ahead but also for a longer-term campaign. Israel’s strategic objective remains focused on significantly weakening Iran’s ability to pose a threat, targeting ballistic missile infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and various components of Iran’s security apparatus. Shoshani highlighted that thousands of Iranian targets remain on Israel’s list for potential strikes, underscoring the scale and intensity of the ongoing operations.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that Tehran has neither requested a ceasefire nor engaged in any communication with the United States regarding de-escalation. He also accused some neighboring countries hosting U.S. forces of actively encouraging attacks against Iran, calling for clarity on their positions. Araqchi further condemned the loss of civilian lives, noting that among the hundreds of Iranians killed in U.S. and Israeli bombings, 200 were children.
Iranian state media reported casualties from overnight airstrikes in the central Markazi province, where five people were killed and seven injured. In Khomein city, a boys’ school sustained damage, although no casualties were reported there. Additional reports from Fars News Agency indicated civilian deaths near Tehran’s Martyrs’ Square, with rescue teams working tirelessly to extract survivors from the rubble of collapsed residential buildings.
The Israeli military confirmed that its air strikes targeted key cities including Tehran, Shiraz, and Tabriz. Notably, the Israeli Air Force claimed to have destroyed facilities linked to Iran’s space program, including a research center in Tehran involved in satellite development scheduled for launch in 2024. The strikes have left many Iranians feeling isolated, with internet outages reported and widespread fear permeating daily life. One Tehran resident expressed despair over the ongoing violence, especially as the Iranian New Year, Nowruz, approaches.
In Israel, air raid sirens sounded as Iranian missile attacks targeted areas including Tel Aviv, the U.S. al-Dhafra air base in Abu Dhabi, the U.S. naval base in Bahrain, and Bahrain’s Sheikh Issa air base. Additionally, oil loading operations at the UAE’s Fujairah port were suspended following an Iranian drone strike. Fujairah is a crucial export hub for the UAE’s Murban crude oil, representing about 1% of global oil demand. The drone attack near Dubai also caused a temporary shutdown of flights at Dubai International Airport after a nearby fuel storage facility was hit, sending thick black smoke into the sky.
Saudi Arabia intercepted 34 drones over its eastern region within a single hour, state media, though no injuries were reported. Later, explosions were also heard in Doha, Qatar, further illustrating the widening scope of the conflict across the Gulf.
Despite the heightened tensions, oil prices, which had surged above $100 per barrel, experienced a sharp decline following remarks from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. He indicated that the United States was willing to allow some Iranian fuel shipments to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and noted that Indian and Chinese tankers had already navigated the route. This development provided some relief to global markets amid the ongoing turmoil.
President Trump reiterated his call for countries heavily dependent on Gulf oil to contribute to protecting the strait, hoping for participation from nations including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. However, several countries such as Germany, Italy, Greece, Japan, and Australia have declined to deploy warships to the region, highlighting the reluctance among some allies to become directly involved in military operations.
Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its military actions beyond Iran, continuing airstrikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon and Hamas militants in Gaza. The Israeli military also announced the commencement of limited ground operations targeting Hezbollah strongholds, signaling a broader regional escalation that could further destabilize the already volatile Middle East landscape.
