Tehran: Tensions in West Asia intensified further after Iran reportedly launched attacks targeting the world’s busiest international airport and commercial shipping routes, even as the United Nations’ top decision-making body called for an immediate halt to strikes against Gulf nations.
The developments mark a significant escalation in the ongoing confrontation between Iran, the United States and Israel, which began nearly two weeks ago. Tehran’s latest actions appear aimed at exerting economic pressure on its adversaries by disrupting key global trade and transport hubs. However, despite mounting international concern, there are few signs that the conflict is easing.
According to reports, Iran’s campaign has increasingly focused on strategic economic infrastructure, including oil facilities, shipping lanes and aviation hubs across the Gulf region. Analysts believe these actions are designed to amplify the global economic fallout from the conflict and push Washington and Tel Aviv toward ending the hostilities.
The financial burden of the war is already substantial. The US Department of Defense informed members of Congress that the first week of military operations alone cost the United States approximately USD 11.3 billion. A senior official familiar with the closed-door briefing said nearly USD 5 billion of that amount was spent on munitions during the initial weekend of the conflict.
Meanwhile, both sides appear prepared for a prolonged standoff. Military activity in and around the Gulf has disrupted shipping routes, slowed the flow of fuel and fertiliser exports and raised concerns about aviation safety in one of the world’s busiest air corridors.
Iran has also reportedly struck oil fields and refineries in several Gulf Arab states while effectively halting much of the cargo traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage that handles nearly one-fifth of the world’s traded oil supply.
The growing threat to global energy markets has prompted emergency action from international energy agencies. In response to the disruption, the International Energy Agency announced plans to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves — the largest coordinated release in its history — to stabilise supply and ease market volatility.
The United States is also preparing to draw from its own reserves, with plans to release 172 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in the coming week to counter surging energy prices.
Diplomatic pressure is simultaneously building at the United Nations, where the Security Council has urged Iran to halt its attacks on neighbouring Gulf countries and avoid further destabilising the region. However, with both sides entrenched and strategic infrastructure increasingly becoming targets, observers warn that the conflict could continue to disrupt global trade and energy markets if a ceasefire is not reached soon.
