Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi, issued an apology to neighboring countries Friday as the conflict sparked by U.S. And Israeli strikes entered its eighth day, promising to halt retaliatory attacks unless Iran itself is attacked. The pledge came amid escalating tensions and a widening geographic scope of the conflict, which has already claimed over 1,300 lives in Iran, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.
The initial strikes, launched last Saturday by the U.S. And Israel, resulted in the deaths of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and numerous top officials, according to reports. The Pentagon has stated that the Iranian navy and air force have been effectively neutralized, with Israel and the U.S. Poised to gain complete control of Iranian airspace.
Retaliatory strikes by Iran have targeted Israel, as well as U.S. Military bases in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. These attacks have extended to civilian infrastructure, including hotels, airports, and oil and gas facilities. Six U.S. Soldiers were killed in an Iranian strike on a command center in Kuwait, and at least 10 people in Israel have died as a result of the clashes, Israeli authorities reported. A drone strike also targeted a British air force base in Cyprus last Sunday, prompting the U.K. To intercept further drones.
The conflict has spread beyond the immediate region. Iran launched drone strikes against Azerbaijan, prompting a strong response from President Ilham Aliyev, who vowed retaliatory measures. A missile aimed at Turkey was intercepted by a U.S. Warship, and Turkey is experiencing an influx of Iranian refugees fleeing the ongoing bombardment. Fighting has also erupted in Lebanon, with Hezbollah launching attacks on Israel, leading to Israeli airstrikes and evacuation orders for Lebanese residents. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported at least 123 deaths as of Thursday.
A U.S. Submarine sank an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka on Wednesday, prompting calls for peace from the island nation, which fears becoming a casualty of the conflict.
The war is testing alliances. France, Italy, and the U.K., initially hesitant about the U.S. And Israel’s actions, have increased their military presence in the Middle East to protect citizens and prevent further escalation. The U.K.’s relationship with the U.S. Has been strained, with initial resistance to allowing U.S. Use of British bases later softened to permit “limited defensive action.” A similar dispute has emerged with Spain, which refused U.S. Access to its military bases, prompting a threat from President Trump to cut off trade. However, several European nations – Spain, France, Italy, Britain, Greece, and the Netherlands – have pledged to protect Cyprus.
Iran’s relationships with Gulf Arab states have been destabilized by the attacks, threatening trade, and tourism. Dubai, previously considered a safe haven, has been significantly impacted. China has dispatched an envoy to the Middle East, urging both Iran and the U.S. To de-escalate and return to negotiations, citing concerns about global energy markets. Russia, although offering condolences following the death of Iran’s supreme leader, has largely remained on the sidelines, though it could potentially benefit from increased oil demand. Reports confirm Russia provided intelligence about targets to Iran.
The conflict is significantly impacting global oil markets. Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, leading to production shutdowns in Iraq and Saudi Arabia, and strikes on refineries in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Oil prices surged above $90 per barrel on Friday, the highest since September 2023, and U.S. Gasoline prices rose to an average of $3.32 per gallon. The U.S. Treasury Department issued a 30-day waiver allowing Indian refineries to purchase Russian oil, previously subject to sanctions, in response to the oil shortage.
