The US Embassy in Baghdad was hit by a drone strike on Saturday, marking the second attack since February 28. The strike comes as the US-Israel war against Iran enters its third week, sending shockwaves through the Middle East and global energy markets. The escalation has displaced millions and reportedly killed over 1,200 people in Iran.
Explosions and black smoke were seen rising from Fujairah in the UAE, where Iran warned civilians to avoid port areas. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively blocked, halting a route that carries about one-fifth of global oil supplies. Crude prices have surged more than 40% since the war began.
Read more: Trump warns US will hit Iran ‘very hard’ as war drives oil prices higher
President Donald Trump said US forces targeted military sites on Kharg Island, Iran’s largest oil export hub, while sparing energy infrastructure. Israel has conducted over 7,600 strikes, mostly targeting Iran’s missile program. Meanwhile, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks against at least ten neighboring countries.
The war has caused massive regional disruption. The UN reports up to 3.2 million internally displaced in Iran, while Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey face missile and drone attacks. Hezbollah retaliated in Lebanon after the assassination of Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, leaving hundreds dead and hospitals struck.
Read more: US, Israel frame Iran strikes as religious war
Trump described Iran as “totally defeated” but rejected a negotiated settlement, while Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader. Internet blackouts, crackdowns on protests, and military escalations continue across the region, raising concerns over further destabilization in the Gulf and wider Middle East.