Iran signals further escalation in regional conflictIran has warned it may expand its military actions across the Middle East, threatening facilities linked to the United States after President Donald Trump suggested that several countries could send warships to support efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway, through which a large share of global oil supplies normally passes, has been largely closed by Iran since the start of the current conflict. The fighting began nearly three weeks ago following coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets. Since then, Tehran has launched repeated strikes against oil and infrastructure sites around the Gulf as well as missile attacks on Israel. Don’t miss the latest headlines from Thailand and around the world. Get the Asean Now Briefing newsletter, delivered daily. Sign up here. On Saturday, Iranian forces fired additional projectiles at Israel while also launching ballistic missiles towards the United Arab Emirates. Missile attacks affect Gulf energy hubSome oil-loading operations in Fujairah in the UAE were halted after the latest strikes, according to industry and trade sources. The emirate is one of the world’s major refuelling centres for shipping. Television footage showed dark smoke rising above the area following the missile barrage. An Iranian military spokesperson urged residents in the UAE to avoid ports, docks and locations described as “American hideouts”, claiming US forces had carried out attacks on Iranian islands from those sites. The UAE condemned the strikes. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the country’s president, said the state had the right to defend itself against what he described as “terrorist aggression”. Despite that, he said the UAE was still seeking restraint and a diplomatic path that could reduce tensions in the region. US and Israeli strikes intensifyThe United States continued air operations against Iran, targeting the country’s main oil export hub on Kharg Island. US aircraft bombed the facility on Friday and carried out further attacks on Saturday. In an interview with NBC News, President Trump said the strikes had severely damaged much of the island’s infrastructure and indicated additional attacks were possible. Trump also said negotiations with Iran were not currently possible because the conditions were “not good enough”. Israeli aircraft meanwhile conducted dozens of air raids across Iran. Iranian media reported that at least 15 people were killed when a strike hit a refrigerator and heater factory in the city of Isfahan. The Israeli military said its operations were aimed at weakening Iran’s missile-launching capabilities and targeting the security forces of the Iranian government. Trump calls for international naval presenceIn social media posts, Trump said several countries could join the United States in protecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. He specifically mentioned China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom as nations that might deploy naval vessels to help ensure passage through the waterway. The strait typically carries about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied gas supplies. Iran’s closure of the route has already pushed energy prices sharply higher and raised concerns about global economic disruption. The United States has not yet outlined a detailed plan for reopening the passage. Earlier in the week, Trump warned that Iranian oil facilities could become targets if shipping continued to be blocked. He said he had so far chosen not to destroy key infrastructure on Kharg Island but could reconsider if Iran interfered with maritime traffic. Iran targets regional partnersIranian officials signalled they may broaden their response. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s joint military command, said energy and economic infrastructure connected to companies with US ties across the region could become targets. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, urged neighbouring states to remove US military forces from their territories, arguing that American security guarantees in the region had failed to prevent conflict. Analysts say Tehran’s strategy appears aimed at putting pressure on Washington by targeting US partners and disrupting global energy markets. Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group said Iran’s approach combines three objectives: ensuring the survival of the government, maintaining the ability to retaliate and prolonging the conflict long enough to negotiate from a stronger position. Rising casualties and regional tensionsThe fighting has caused significant casualties. Reports indicate between 1,400 and 1,800 people have been killed in Iran since the conflict began, while 13 people have died in Israel and around 20 in Gulf countries. The US embassy in Baghdad has advised American citizens to leave Iraq immediately after a missile strike near the embassy compound. The warning cited threats from Iran-aligned militia groups as well as the risk of further missile and drone attacks in Iraqi airspace. President Trump has not provided a timeline for ending the conflict, saying the fighting would continue “as long as it’s necessary”. Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 14.March 2026
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