Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Mar 12: Iran intensified its attacks across the Gulf region, targeting shipping routes and infrastructure including areas near the Dubai International Airport, as the conflict involving United States and Israel continued to escalate.
Authorities said two Iranian drones struck near Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, injuring four people. Firefighters also battled a blaze at a luxury apartment tower in Dubai Creek Harbour following a drone strike.
In Bahrain, an Iranian attack triggered a major fire on Muharraq Island, home to the country’s international airport. Officials urged residents to remain indoors and shut windows due to heavy smoke.
Meanwhile, an attack on Basra Port in Iraq killed at least one person and forced the suspension of operations at the country’s oil terminals. Authorities said the strike targeted a vessel during a ship-to-ship transfer in the Persian Gulf. Commercial ports in Iraq remained open, though oil exports were temporarily halted.
According to the Pentagon, the first week of the war has already cost the United States about $11.3 billion, including around $5 billion spent on munitions during the initial weekend of the conflict.
The war, which began nearly 12 days ago with large-scale strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, has disrupted trade routes and fuel supplies across the Middle East. Iran has also targeted oil facilities in Gulf Arab countries and effectively halted cargo traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil supply normally passes.
In response to the disruption, the International Energy Agency agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves — the largest such release in its history — to stabilise global markets. The United States is also expected to release 172 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve to counter rising fuel prices.
The United Nations Security Council voted 13-0 to approve a resolution demanding that Iran halt what it described as “egregious attacks” on Gulf nations. China and Russia abstained, saying the resolution failed to mention earlier strikes against Iran that triggered the conflict.
Jamal Alrowaiei, Bahrain’s ambassador to the UN, said the international community must reject attacks threatening regional stability and global trade routes.
Further attacks were reported across the region. Drones were launched toward Erbil and Sulaymaniyah in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. An oil vessel flying the Australia flag was also struck near Khor Al-Zubair Port in southern Iraq, with 25 crew members rescued.
At Port of Salalah in Oman, emergency crews battled a fire after drones struck fuel storage tanks.
Air raid sirens sounded and explosions were reported in Jerusalem and other parts of Israel early Thursday. The Israel Defense Forces said it responded with a “wide-scale wave of strikes” targeting sites in Tehran.
Israel also carried out strikes against positions linked to the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. One strike hit a car in Ramlet al Bayda in Beirut, killing seven people and injuring 21 others, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.
Earlier strikes also hit Beirut’s southern suburbs after Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward northern Israel. One rocket struck a house near the Israeli town of Karmiel, injuring two people.
Lebanon’s health ministry said at least 634 people have been killed in the country since the latest fighting began, while the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reported that more than 759,000 people have been displaced.
Iranian authorities say over 1,300 people have been killed in the country during the conflict. Israel has reported 12 deaths, while the United States has confirmed seven soldiers killed and eight seriously injured.
With attacks continuing across the Gulf and the Levant, concerns are growing about wider regional instability and disruptions to global energy supplies.