Iran launched fresh missile and drone attacks across the Middle East on Monday, escalating tensions after US President Donald Trump warned Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face severe consequences.
Authorities in Israel, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates reported a wave of missile and drone strikes early Monday, as Iran intensified its military posture.
Tehran’s central military command warned of “much more devastating” retaliation if its adversaries target civilian infrastructure, following threats from Washington.
The escalation comes amid Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint, which has triggered sharp reactions from the United States.
Trump’s warning
President Trump issued a strongly worded ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the vital shipping route, setting a deadline for compliance.
He also warned of potential strikes on Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges, as part of efforts to force Tehran into a deal.
In response, Iranian officials accused Washington of escalating tensions and acting under the influence of Israeli leadership.
Regional fallout
Iranian missiles reportedly struck targets in Israel and parts of the Gulf, with air defence systems activated in multiple countries.
In the UAE, authorities confirmed a security incident in the port city of Khor Fakkan, while Kuwait said it was working to intercept incoming projectiles.
Meanwhile, Israel said it had launched strikes on “regime targets” in Tehran and confirmed that missiles fired from Iran hit residential areas, causing injuries.
Rising tensions
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that continued escalation could engulf the entire region in conflict.
Russia also weighed in, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urging the United States to abandon ultimatums and return to negotiations.
Security analysts say prospects for diplomacy remain slim under current conditions, as both sides adopt increasingly hardline positions.
Wider conflict
The conflict, which began on 28 February following US-Israeli strikes on Iran, has expanded across the region, drawing in multiple actors, including Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Israel’s military said it would intensify operations against the group, raising concerns of a broader regional war.
The crisis has also impacted global markets, with oil prices surging above $110 per barrel amid fears of prolonged disruption to energy supplies.
Reports indicated ongoing strikes in Tehran, including attacks on residential areas and infrastructure, while Iran claimed to have downed US aircraft during a rescue mission involving an American airman.
US media reported that the airman was successfully rescued by special forces, although details of the aircraft incident remain contested.
Call for peace
Amid the escalating violence, Pope Leo XIV used his Easter message to urge global leaders to prioritise peace over conflict.
“Choose peace,” the pontiff appealed, as the war cast a shadow over Easter celebrations worldwide.
Tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel have intensified following recent military strikes, with the blockade of the Strait raising fears of a wider economic and security crisis.
The involvement of regional actors, including Gulf states and Iran-backed groups, has further complicated the conflict, increasing the risk of escalation.
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