Iran signals it will hit US, Israeli economic and technological targets
Iran’s military vowed on Wednesday to launch strikes against US and Israeli financial interests in the region, including banks, while an Iranian news agency listed tech giants as possible “future targets”.
“The enemy has given us free rein to target financial centers and banks belonging to the United States and the Zionist regime,” the military’s Central Operations Command, Khatam al-Anbiya, said in a statement carried by state TV in response to reports of a strike on an Iranian bank.
This forced people across the region to avoid going within a kilometer (about half a mile) of banks.
“A branch of the oldest bank in my country was bombed when it was full of employees,” said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
“Our mighty armed forces will exact vengeance for this crime,” he added in X.
Three crew members trapped on Thai ship attacked in Gulf
Three crew members are believed to be trapped aboard a Thai bulk carrier that was hit by two missiles while traveling through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, the ship’s owner said.
Thai shipping company Precious Shipping said in a statement on Wednesday evening that “three crew members are missing and believed to be trapped in the engine room” of the Thai-registered Mayuri Nari, which was damaged in the strike.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that they shot down the ship because it ignored “warnings”.
The Saudi Defense Ministry said the drones had moved to the Shaiba oil field
Saudi Arabia on Thursday intercepted two drones flying towards the Shaiba oil field as Iran again targeted the facility in a campaign to disrupt global energy markets.
“Two drones en route to the Shaiba oil field were intercepted and destroyed,” a spokesman for the country’s defense ministry posted on X.
It comes after Saudi Arabia confirmed on Wednesday that it had thwarted several drone attacks against a facility critical to the country’s oil production.
Oil tops $100 as Iran strikes offset IEA stockpile release
Oil prices rose above $100 on Thursday as Iran’s renewed efforts to hit supplies in the Middle East and threats to derail the global economy overshadowed a record release of strategic crude by the International Energy Agency.
The IEA agreed on Wednesday that its members would unlock 400 million barrels of oil from their reserves — their largest release — with 172 million coming from the United States.
However, the move could not overcome fears about the choking off of energy supplies from the Middle East with the Strait of Hormuz – through which a fifth of global crude oil passes – effectively closed.
UKMTO says projectile hits container ship off UAE’s Jebel Ali
An unidentified projectile struck a container ship and caused a small fire 35 nautical miles north of Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Thursday.
“All personnel are reported to be safe,” the agency said in an advisory. “No environmental impact has been reported at this time.”
Lebanon says 7 killed in Israeli attack in central Beirut
Lebanon An Israeli attack on central Beirut’s seafront early Thursday killed at least seven people, as Iran-backed Hezbollah fired more missiles at Israel, followed by another attack in the heart of the capital.
The Israeli military said it launched an overnight attack on Beirut’s southern suburbs against Hezbollah, which announced a major new campaign against Israel.
Local media broadcast footage showing smoke rising from the Corniche Road area of the seaside after the strike in central Beirut, which the state-owned National News Agency said targeted a car.
“An Israeli enemy attack on Beirut’s Ramlet Al-Baida initially left seven dead and 21 wounded,” the health ministry said in a statement.
It was the third attack in the heart of the capital since the start of the Middle East war, followed by repeated Israeli attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs, as Israel said on Thursday it had hit 10 Hezbollah targets.
Bahrain says fuel tanks were attacked, urging residents to stay at home
Bahrain told residents to stay at home after an Iranian attack on fuel tanks on Thursday as Tehran launched a campaign in the Gulf to disrupt global energy markets.
“Fuel tanks at a facility in Muharraq Governorate are targeted by an Iranian strike,” Bahrain’s Interior Ministry posted on X.
The ministry told residents in three parts of Muharraq to “remain in their homes, close windows and ventilation openings as a precaution against the potential effects of smoke from the current fire.”
(tags to translate)Middle East(T)Iran(T)Israel(T)USA(T)Airstrikes(T)Drones(T)Military(T)US Military
