Israel carried out another round of strikes on Tehran early Monday, intensifying a conflict that is now shaking energy markets and raising tensions across the Middle East. Loud explosions were reported in the Iranian capital, while authorities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said their air defenses were actively intercepting incoming missiles and drones.
The impact of the fighting is being felt far beyond the battlefield. According to the International Energy Agency, dozens of key oil and gas facilities across the region have suffered serious damage since the war began. The disruption has pushed global oil supply under pressure, with millions of barrels lost daily, deepening what is already being described as one of the most severe energy crises in decades.
Iran has responded to the sustained attacks by launching missiles and drones toward Israel and across parts of the Gulf. Some of these strikes have hit critical infrastructure and diplomatic sites. At the same time, Tehran has tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a major global shipping route responsible for a significant share of the world’s oil supply, slowing traffic and raising fears of wider economic fallout.
Oil prices have reacted sharply, hovering above the $100-per-barrel mark amid growing concerns about supply disruptions. In response, US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning, saying Iranian power facilities could be targeted if shipping through the strait is not restored within a short timeframe. His statement has added another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile situation.
Iranian officials have pushed back firmly. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that if such threats are carried out, key infrastructure across the region could be treated as legitimate targets. He also signaled that maritime activity in the Strait of Hormuz may not return to normal anytime soon, with lawmakers considering new measures, including potential tolls on vessels passing through the waterway.
Financial markets have already begun to reflect the tension, with Asian stocks dipping as oil prices climb again. In recent days, Iran has allowed limited passage for ships from countries it considers neutral, while cautioning that others linked to the ongoing attacks could face restrictions.
Beyond Iran, the conflict is expanding on multiple fronts. Israel has indicated that its campaign could stretch over several weeks, not only targeting Iranian positions but also extending operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Military officials have confirmed that additional strikes and ground actions are underway, including the destruction of key crossings they say are being used by Hezbollah fighters.
The situation in Lebanon has grown increasingly dire, with hundreds of casualties reported and large numbers of civilians displaced. Lebanese leaders have raised concerns over the escalation, warning that recent attacks on infrastructure could signal a broader ground operation. At the same time, internal divisions remain, with some officials blaming Hezbollah’s involvement for drawing the country deeper into the conflict.
Despite Israel’s advanced defense systems, some Iranian missiles have managed to break through. Recent strikes in southern Israel, including areas near sensitive facilities, left dozens injured and sparked fresh concerns among residents who had believed they were relatively protected.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue targeting senior Iranian military figures, signaling that the campaign is far from over. Iran, on its part, maintains that its actions are retaliatory, pointing to earlier strikes on its nuclear facilities as justification.
Casualty figures continue to rise, particularly inside Iran, where thousands have reportedly been killed since the fighting began. Independent verification remains difficult, but the human and economic toll is becoming harder to ignore as the conflict drags on with no clear end in sight.
