The United States conducted a 13th night of airstrikes against Iran on Thursday, hours after President Donald Trump threatened a "massive attack" in response to Tehran's expanding military campaign across the Middle East. The escalation sent oil prices briefly above $100 a barrel and raised fears of a broader regional conflict.
Military Strikes and Threats Intensify
Trump told Axios he was considering an attack "bigger than ever before" if Iran continued its aggression. The warning came as US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed strikes targeting Iranian military command centers, drone storage sites, and coastal surveillance facilities. Iran's state-run IRNA reported four deaths and five injuries in Ahvaz from the latest US strikes.
Tehran responded with its own attacks, claiming to have struck a US base in Kuwait and the Fifth Fleet's control tower in Bahrain. Explosions were also reported near a US military base in northern Iraq. The Revolutionary Guard framed the strikes as retaliation for US actions in the region.
Shipping Routes Under Pressure
Iran's campaign has extended beyond the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea, where Houthi rebels backed by Tehran attacked two Saudi oil tankers. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly halted, with only one vessel—the New Giant oil tanker bound for China—crossing fully on Thursday. In the Red Sea, some ships have turned back, though overall traffic has not significantly slowed.
Trump vowed "major military punishment" for both Iran and the Houthis, writing on Truth Social that the US would hold Iran responsible for Houthi attacks. He also announced plans to use frozen Iranian assets to compensate for damages to ships and cargo, drawing condemnation from Tehran. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the move an "incendiary precedent" that could endanger global asset security.
Diplomatic Efforts Falter as Costs Rise
Senior Arab officials told NBC News they were frustrated by the lack of diplomatic progress, with one describing the situation as "only getting crazier." Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's visit to Iran—his first since taking office in May—highlighted the region's divided loyalties. Trump claimed Iran was open to negotiations but needed "more pain" before agreeing to a deal.
Oil markets reflected the growing instability, with Brent crude briefly topping $100 a barrel for the first time since May before settling near $97. Analysts warn that prolonged disruptions to key shipping routes could push prices higher, further straining the global economy.
