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Middle East Braces As Air Strikes Escalate; Iran Clamps Down On Dissent
The US and Israel exchanged air strikes with Iran across the Middle East on Wednesday, as Tehran warned its security forces were ready with “fingers on the trigger” to confront any anti government protests.
The attacks mark one of the heaviest bombardments in the region yet, with clashes hitting targets in Israel, Lebanon, and the Gulf as the conflict enters its 12th day.
The war has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, halting roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil exports. After crude oil surged earlier this week, global energy prices and stock markets stabilized as investors bet US President Donald Trump would seek to end hostilities.
The International Energy Agency has proposed the largest release of oil reserves in its history to further stabilize crude prices, according to the Wall Street Journal. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed to block Gulf oil shipments unless US and Israeli attacks cease.
Maritime incidents have already occurred a cargo vessel was hit in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting crew evacuation, and another container ship reportedly sustained damage off the UAE coast.
Millions of Israelis were forced into bomb shelters overnight as air raid sirens blared across the country.
Explosions from intercepting rockets punctuated the pre dawn darkness, though it was not immediately clear whether any missiles reached the ground.
Iran’s armed forces spokesman, Abolfazl Shekarchi, called on regional countries to reveal “US Zionist hiding places” to increase strike precision while minimizing civilian casualties. He added Iran would respond to attacks targeting residential areas.
Simultaneously, Israel carried out large scale bombardments in Beirut, targeting the Iran backed Hezbollah group, which has fired into Israel from Lebanon in support of Tehran.
Inside Iran, rallies supported the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, while the government suppressed dissent.
Police chief Ahmadreza Radan warned that anyone protesting at the request of foreign powers would be treated as an enemy, declaring that all security forces had “fingers on the trigger.”
Authorities have arrested dozens, including a foreign national accused of spying.
According to Iran’s UN ambassador, more than 1,300 civilians have been killed since the air strikes began, with nearly 8,000 homes and hundreds of commercial, medical, and educational facilities destroyed.
Across the region, casualties mount at least 11 killed in Iranian strikes on Israel, scores dead in Israeli attacks on Lebanon, and seven US soldiers killed, with about 140 more wounded.
The Middle East remains on edge as the conflict shows little sign of slowing, while Iran cracks down internally to maintain control during the intensifying war.
