Washington: The conflict in West Asia escalated sharply this week as the United States launched a series of heavy strikes against Iran, while Tehran responded with attacks targeting shipping lanes and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf. The intensifying hostilities have driven global oil prices above the $100-per-barrel mark once again, raising fears of wider economic fallout.
Reports indicate that multiple strikes hit Tehran and surrounding areas, marking some of the most intense bombardments since the conflict began. The offensive is being carried out in coordination with Israel, which has also stepped up its military operations across the region.
At the same time, Iran has continued launching attacks toward neighboring Arab Gulf states and targeting maritime routes in the Persian Gulf, creating serious concerns about the safety of global energy supplies.
U.S. President Donald Trump signaled that the campaign would continue, stating that Washington intends to “finish the job” despite claiming that Iran’s military capabilities have already been severely weakened.
In a separate post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump issued another sharp warning to Iran, using harsh language and asserting that the country’s naval forces, air power, missile systems and drones were being destroyed. He also alleged that Iran’s leadership had been eliminated, although no official confirmation has been provided.
The financial cost of the war is mounting rapidly. According to the Pentagon, the first week of military operations has already cost the United States approximately $11.3 billion.
The conflict has also triggered a major humanitarian crisis. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that as many as 3.2 million people in Iran have been forced to flee their homes since the fighting intensified.
In neighboring Lebanon, authorities say around 800,000 residents have been displaced as Israeli forces continue strikes against infrastructure linked to the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, the disruption of shipping routes and fears of further escalation have pushed oil markets into volatile territory. Energy analysts warn that sustained instability in the Gulf region could affect global fuel supplies and increase costs for economies around the world.
Diplomatic efforts to calm the situation have so far shown little progress, and international observers fear the conflict could widen if hostilities continue at the current pace.
