Iran Intensifies Attacks Across Gulf as Israel Hits Tehran

Iran launched a fresh wave of missile and drone strikes across the Gulf on Thursday evening, with attacks reported in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar.Author of the article:You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — Iran launched a fresh wave of missile and drone strikes across the Gulf on Thursday evening, with attacks reported in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar. Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.The UAE warned Dubai residents of incoming projectiles, urging them to seek immediate shelter in the nearest secure building, before signaling the all clear about an hour later. Qatar earlier told residents to remain indoors due to the high level of threat. Bahrain’s oil refinery was hit and set on fire, and there were reports of explosions near Abu Dhabi’s international airport.After a period when the intensity of Iran’s missile and drone attacks had waned, the latest assaults showed that Tehran still has the capability to hit targets across the region simultaneously. The latest assault on Dubai and other hubs will further deplete supplies of missile interceptors, and makes it unlikely that airspace will reopen to commercial traffic anytime soon. Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News that his country hadn’t asked for a ceasefire and had no intention to negotiate. “We see no reason why we should engage once again with those who have, who are not honest in negotiation,” he said.Earlier, Tehran said it launched drone attacks on US forces in Iraq and Kuwait, and struck an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf, underlining the risk to shipping in the energy-rich region. Oil prices approached $80 a barrel in New York trading.Israel said it carried out a 12th wave of airstrikes on the Iranian capital, hitting military and intelligence assets, following attacks on the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon. At least 1,230 people have died in Iran so far, and dozens elsewhere in the region.Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said retaliatory attacks will intensify in coming days, according to the Nour news agency. US President Donald Trump had been similarly defiant on Wednesday, saying the US is “doing very well on the war front.”Iran pledged to respond to the sinking of a warship off the coast of Sri Lanka — the first time since World War II that an American submarine has attacked a surface vessel. That incident widened the geographic reach of the conflict. In all, about a dozen nations have become embroiled since the US and Israel launched their campaign on Feb. 28.Azerbaijan became the latest on Thursday, threatening to retaliate after two Iranian drones struck its territory. Iran denied any connection to the incident, the semi-official Fars news agency reported. The possibility of a protracted war is roiling markets, with Brent oil climbing to about $84 a barrel, after spiking about 13% over the first three days of the week. Gold extended gains amid concerns the conflict could be drawn out. A global bond selloff showed no respite, with the 10-year Treasury yield rising for a fourth straight day.Airlines remain hamstrung by the conflict, with the number of canceled flights to Middle East hubs surpassing 23,000 since fighting began. Thousands of passengers are stranded in the Gulf region.

The Islamic Republic is still to appoint a new supreme leader after the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the weekend, with a decision to be made “as soon as possible,” Iran’s semi-official Mehr reported. Trump told Axios he should be involved in selecting a successor, the outlet reported, citing an interview with the president. Saudi Arabia continued to thwart attacks on Thursday, saying it intercepted multiple missiles and drones overnight. Strikes have mostly been directed at Al Kharj near Riyadh, where the US has a facility, or the east where Saudi Aramco operates its headquarters.The kingdom is diverting millions of barrels of crude to a port on its Red Sea coast, helping the world’s top exporter to maintain supply as the critical Strait of Hormuz remains largely shut. Sirens continued to sound across Israel, but the military slightly eased restrictions on workplaces and gatherings. “We are seeing a decrease in both the number of launches from Iran and the number of missiles in each barrage,” said Israel Defense Forces spokesman Nadav Shoshani. In Washington, the Republican-controlled Senate rejected a Democratic attempt to halt the US strikes. The House, also controlled by Trump’s party, is expected to vote on a similar measure Thursday.Trump has offered shifting explanations for the strikes, reiterating claims that Iran posed an imminent threat and saying the US acted before Tehran could attack Israel or American interests.The duration of military operations remains uncertain, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth telling reporters “it could be six, it could be eight, it could be three” weeks before they are wrapped up. He’s due to brief reporters on the status of the war at 4:30 p.m. New York time on Thursday. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime chokepoint vital for energy flows and container shipping, has slumped, prompting Trump to announce the US would provide insurance guarantees and naval escorts if needed to ensure safe passage for oil tankers and other vessels. While Iran military commander Amir Heydari told state TV on Thursday the strait isn’t closed, traders and analysts still expect it will take weeks before flows can resume meaningfully. Preparations were under way for Khamenei’s funeral to begin in Tehran on Wednesday, but the ceremony has been postponed to a later date, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. (Adds interview with Iran’s foreign minister.)Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.