Iran escalates attacks on infrastructure and transport networks across the Gulf

"Senior Iranian officials struck a defiant tone, warning of a long war of attrition that will threaten global economic chaos as energy supplies from the oil and gas rich region are throttled. Amid what appears to be a growing stalemate in the 12-day-old conflict, violence continued across a swath of the Middle East, with Israeli strikes on what it says are Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and barrages of Iranian missiles and Hezbollah rockets targeting Israel."

"The UN refugee agency said at least 759,000 people have been internally displaced in Lebanon, while more than 92,000 others have crossed into neighbouring Syria. In the Gulf, Kuwait said its air defences downed eight Iranian drones and Saudi Arabia said it intercepted five heading toward the kingdom's Shaybah oil field."

"Iranian officials admitted for the first time on Wednesday that Iran's new leader had been wounded in the airstrikes that killed his father, mother, wife and a son. The 56-year-old has not appeared in public or issued any direct message since the war began."

Iran intensified its military strategy by attacking commercial vessels in the Gulf and targeting Dubai's airport as US and Israeli warplanes launched new strikes on Iranian territory. Senior Iranian officials adopted a defiant stance, threatening a prolonged war of attrition that could destabilize global energy supplies. The 12-day conflict expanded across the Middle East with Israeli strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon and Iranian-Hezbollah rocket barrages targeting Israel. Lebanon experienced massive displacement with 759,000 internally displaced persons and 92,000 crossing into Syria. Gulf nations reported intercepting Iranian drones targeting oil infrastructure. Mass funerals occurred in Iranian cities for military commanders killed in the initial US-Israeli offensive. Iranian officials disclosed that the new supreme leader was wounded in airstrikes that killed his predecessor and family members.

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