Iran has warned it is prepared for a prolonged war of attrition that could severely damage the global economy, as tensions escalate in the Middle East following attacks involving the United States and Israel.
According to Iranian officials, the conflict began when the United States and Israel launched strikes on February 28 that killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.
The war has now entered its 12th day.
Ali Fadavi, an adviser to the commander in chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the United States and Israel should consider the possibility of a long conflict that would “destroy the entire American economy and the world economy.”
Iran has tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route through which about 20 percent of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes. Iranian forces said they fired on two commercial ships, the Liberian-flagged container vessel Express Rome and the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree, after the vessels ignored warnings from Iranian naval forces.
Oman’s navy rescued 20 crew members from the incident and continued efforts to locate three missing individuals.
The conflict has already disrupted energy markets. Oil prices surged in recent days, prompting the International Energy Agency to announce a record release of 400 million barrels from emergency reserves to stabilise supply.
Regional tensions also spread beyond Iran. Drones fell near Dubai International Airport, injuring four people, while fuel tanks at Salalah Port in Oman were hit by drone strikes.
Israeli forces continued military operations in the region. Israel Katz said Israel would continue strikes without a time limit. Israeli attacks also targeted sites in Iran and Hezbollah positions in Beirut.
Iran’s health ministry said on March 8 that more than 1,200 people had been killed and over 10,000 civilians injured in US and Israeli strikes, although the figures could not be independently verified.