On Thursday, Iran continued its strategy of economic warfare, reiterating threats to target two oil tankers in the Persian Gulf while also pledging to cut off oil shipments through a crucial trade route.
Additionally, Iran coordinated assaults on Israel with its ally Hezbollah, and the Israeli military reported strikes on important nuclear facilities close to Tehran.
Two oil tankers that collided off the Iraqi coastline during the night sustained more considerable damage than previous targets, with significant fires erupting on both vessels and at least one fatality reported.
Iran claimed responsibility for one of the tanker attacks but remained silent on the other incident. The Iraqi government has voiced “deep concern” over the potential risk to oil tankers in the Gulf, identifying both events as acts of sabotage.
A senior Iraqi official indicated that both ships had been transporting Iraqi oil products. Notably, the tanker that Iran admitted to attacking was American-owned but registered in the Marshall Islands.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the attack occurred because the ship “ignored our warnings.” They declared intentions to target vessels linked to the U.S., Israel, or their “partners,” defining that as Middle Eastern nations hosting U.S. troops, aiming to push oil prices over $200 a barrel.
In reaction to the tanker attack, oil prices spiked above $100 but later fell back by Thursday evening.
In light of the recent attacks, Iraq has halted operations at its oil terminals, while one of Oman’s oil ports was targeted by an Iranian drone.
Another incident possibly linked to Iran occurred when a container ship near the UAE was struck by an unknown projectile, though no injuries were reported.
On Wednesday night and into Thursday, Iran launched more missiles toward Israel, which Israeli media described as part of a “joint Hezbollah-Iran attack.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) emphasized their commitment to responding firmly to any threats to Israeli civilians, stating they would not tolerate aggression.
Hezbollah named its action “Eating Straw,” a phrase derived from a Quranic verse about complete destruction of an enemy.
A security expert voiced concern that Hezbollah might be trying to intimidate Israel, wishing that the government remains steadfast in its actions.
Israel responded with heavy attacks on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, leading the Lebanese government to seek assistance from U.S. and European leaders for a ceasefire. However, Israeli officials dismissed Lebanon’s ceasefire request, citing insufficient measures to disarm Hezbollah.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that if Hezbollah’s attacks persist, Israel would take matters into its own hands, potentially seizing territory.
Katz mentioned that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have instructed the IDF to prepare for broader operations in Lebanon to restore security along the northern border.
The IDF reported on Thursday that they struck a site near Tehran associated with developing critical nuclear capabilities.
This facility, known as Taleghan within the Parchin military complex, had previously been targeted back in October 2024 after Iran conducted a missile attack on Israel. Israeli military officials asserted that these new actions were necessary as Iran continues efforts to improve its facilities and capabilities for nuclear weapon development.
Reportedly, Iran announced in February that it had been attempting to conceal construction activities in Taleghan from satellite observation, a site historically used for testing explosives potentially applicable in nuclear warheads.
