Capitals, March 16 (SANA) Seventeen days after fighting erupted between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, the conflict is expanding across the Middle East, raising fears of a prolonged regional war and a potential global energy shock.
Missile strikes, drone attacks and air raids have intensified across several fronts, while the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil shipments, has emerged as a key battleground in the geopolitical struggle.
Oil prices have already surged, with Brent crude rising above $106 per barrel, as analysts warn that prolonged disruption to shipping could trigger a wider energy crisis.
Intensifying Israel–Iran Strikes
Israel says it has conducted more than 200 airstrikes in the past 24 hours against targets in western and central Iran, including missile infrastructure and air-defense systems.
Israeli military officials estimate that the strikes have destroyed roughly 100 air-defense batteries, 120 military radar systems, and nearly 70% of Iran’s missile launch platforms.
The Israeli military also said it is carrying out large-scale strikes in Tehran targeting what it described as Iranian military infrastructure.
Iran, meanwhile, says it has launched around 700 missiles and 3,600 drones toward Israeli and U.S. targets since the start of the war, describing the attacks as retaliation for strikes on its territory.
An Iranian human rights group based in the United States estimated that the war has killed more than 2,400 people in Iran, including both civilians and military personnel, while over 16,000 people have been wounded.
Gulf States Drawn In
The conflict is increasingly spilling into Gulf States. Saudi Arabia said Monday that its air defenses intercepted 64 drones, most over the country’s Eastern Province, in one of the largest waves of attacks since the war began.
The United Arab Emirates reported intercepting a missile threat, while flights at Dubai International Airport were briefly disrupted after a drone strike sparked a fire near the airport.
Authorities in Abu Dhabi said one person was killed when a missile struck a civilian vehicle, while Kuwait’s National Guard reported shooting down two drones within 24 hours.
Lebanon and Iraq Fronts Expand
Israel has continued heavy airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Lebanon’s health ministry said five people were killed in strikes on the towns of Majdal Selm and Aitit, while Hezbollah said it fired rockets and artillery at Israeli military positions.
Israeli officials have suggested a possible ground operation in Lebanon.
In Iraq, Iran-aligned militias have stepped up attacks on U.S. bases. A group calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed 24 rocket and drone attacks in a single day targeting American facilities.
Five rockets also struck areas near Baghdad International Airport, injuring security personnel.
Kharg Island: A Strategic Oil Hub
Iran’s Kharg Island in the Arabian Gulf, through which about 90% of the country’s oil exports pass, is gaining strategic importance in the conflict.
U.S. reports say the Trump administration is considering seizing the island or targeting its oil facilities a move that could deal Iran a major economic blow but may require U.S. ground forces and risk significantly widening the war, especially if Iran retaliates against regional energy infrastructure.
Hormuz: Strategic Chokepoint
At the center of the crisis lies the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
Shipping through the narrow waterway has slowed dramatically amid fears of naval attacks and sea mines.
A British maritime security agency said 20 vessels have been attacked in the Gulf region since the war began.
Military analysts say that securing the passage of just three oil tankers per week could require up to 50 warships.
The United States says it is working to assemble an international coalition to protect shipping in the strait.
Global Powers Weigh Response
President Donald Trump said Washington is discussing participation with several countries, including Britain, France, China, Japan and South Korea, though responses so far have been cautious.
European leaders are pressing Washington to clarify its long-term objectives, worried that the conflict could escalate into a prolonged war with major economic consequences.
With clashes spreading across multiple countries and key energy routes at risk, analysts say the conflict is evolving into a broader struggle over control of regional security and the flow of the world’s oil.
k.A.A
