Iran today carried out new attacks on Israel and countries in the Persian Gulf, only a few hours after Iranian state television announced that Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has been appointed as his successor.
The powerful Iranian paramilitary Revolutionary Guard reports directly to the Supreme Leader, and the younger Khamenei will play a central role in the country’s military strategy.
Saudi Arabia today issued a sharp warning to Iran, stating that it would be the “biggest loser” if it continues attacks on Arab states. The Saudi statement followed a drone attack on the large Saudi oil field Shaybah.
A barrage of drones was fired early this morning toward Saudi Arabia, just a few hours after an attack in which two Bangladeshi citizens were killed in that country.
The Saudi Ministry of Defense stated that air defenses intercepted drones in the northern Jawf region, as well as near the large Shaybah oil field.
Late last night, in an attack on the central city of Karaj, two Bangladeshi citizens were killed, and 12 people were injured, only one of whom was not Bangladesh.
In Bahrain today, sirens sounded again due to incoming projectiles.
The Israeli army warned of a new rocket attack from Iran, after which sirens were heard in parts of northern Israel.
Bahrain’s state oil company declared “force majeure” for its deliveries after the Iranian attack on the refinery, as the facility caught fire.
The Bahraini state news agency reported that the declaration of “force majeure” is a legal mechanism that exempts the company from contractual obligations due to extraordinary circumstances.
The company stated that its operations are affected by the ongoing regional conflict in the Middle East and by the recent attack on the refinery complex. Bahrain also said it can meet local demand.
The United Arab Emirates today stated that its air defenses, for the second consecutive day, intercepted drones and missiles coming from Iran.
In the Iranian attack on Bahrain today, a fire broke out at the kingdom’s only oil refinery, with tall plumes of smoke rising from the complex. Online video footage allegedly shows the fire at Bahrain’s Sitra refinery.
Later, the Bahraini state news agency reported that the fire broke out due to Iranian aggression targeting the Ma’amer refinery, causing material damage but no casualties. Ma’amer is a Bahraini village near the refinery.
The Bahraini government did not immediately identify the affected facility as the refinery, although it has been targeted in repeated Iranian attacks since the start of the war.
The Israeli army reported that it struck targets in the Iranian city of Isfahan, where security forces were targeted. According to them, a command center of the Revolutionary Guard and their volunteer Basij forces was hit.
The Israeli army also reported striking a rocket motor production facility, as well as rocket launch sites.
Iran has so far not confirmed that the attacks were carried out, nor has it released information on material losses since the start of the war on February 28.
Due to the Middle East conflict, oil prices surged today, raising additional concerns that rising energy costs will drive inflation and reduce consumption among American consumers – the main engine of the U.S. economy.
At the same time, stock indices in Asia saw a decline. Tokyo’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index lost as much as seven percent in trading, while declines were recorded in other Asian stock indices as well.
