Iran Targets Busiest International Airport as UN Demands Halt to Attacks on Gulf Neighbors
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran has escalated its military actions by targeting Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest international airport, and attacking commercial vessels amid ongoing U.S. and Israeli strikes on Tehran. This surge in hostilities coincides with a United Nations resolution demanding an end to Iran’s strikes against its Gulf neighbors, which pose a significant threat to global oil supplies.
Escalation of Conflict
The recent attacks are part of Iran’s strategy to inflict economic damage globally, aiming to pressure the United States and Israel to cease military operations that began 12 days ago. Despite these aggressive maneuvers, there are no indications that the conflict is diminishing.
On Thursday, an Iranian strike ignited a major fire on Bahrain’s Muharraq Island, which houses the kingdom’s international airport. Local authorities advised residents to remain indoors and close windows to avoid smoke inhalation. The airport is home to jet fuel tanks, and additional tanks in the vicinity support the oil industry.
In a separate incident, an attack on Iraq’s Basra port resulted in at least one fatality and halted operations at all oil terminals in the country. Farhan al-Fartousi, the director-general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, confirmed that the attack targeted a vessel in a ship-to-ship transfer area at the Persian Gulf port. While Iraq’s commercial ports remain operational, oil terminals have been closed, as reported by the state-run Iraqi News Agency.
Financial Impact of the War
The Pentagon has estimated that the first week of conflict with Iran cost the United States approximately $11.3 billion. This figure was shared with Congress during a recent briefing, according to a source familiar with the matter. The military reported expenditures of $5 billion on munitions alone during the initial weekend of hostilities.
Both Iran and its adversaries appear entrenched, each side hoping to outlast the other as the conflict disrupts trade routes, constrains fuel and fertilizer supplies from the Gulf, and threatens air traffic in a crucial global region.
Iran has specifically targeted oil fields and refineries in Gulf Arab nations, effectively halting cargo traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for a fifth of all traded oil.
International Response
In response to the escalating situation, the International Energy Agency has agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil, marking the largest emergency oil reserve release in its history. The United States plans to release 172 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve next week to mitigate rising prices.
The U.N. Security Council voted on Wednesday to approve a resolution demanding an end to Iran’s “egregious attacks” on its Gulf neighbors. Among the recent incidents, two Iranian drones struck near Dubai International Airport, injuring four individuals, although flights continued without interruption, according to the Dubai Media Office. Firefighters also extinguished a blaze at a luxury apartment tower in Dubai Creek Harbor following a drone strike.
At Oman’s Port of Salalah, crews worked to contain a fire at fuel storage tanks, as reported by the Oman News Agency.
Jamal Alrowaiei, Bahrain’s U.N. ambassador, stated that the international community is united in rejecting Iranian attacks against sovereign nations, emphasizing the importance of regional stability for global economic security and trade.
The U.N. resolution passed with a 13-0 vote, highlighting Iran’s isolated position as it responds aggressively to Israeli and U.S. strikes. China and Russia, both allies of Iran, abstained from the vote, criticizing the proposal as “extremely unbalanced” for not addressing the strikes against Tehran that initiated the conflict.
Russia’s U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, expressed concern that the resolution could suggest that Iran acted out of malice against Arab states. Iranian U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani claimed that the resolution overlooks the underlying causes of the crisis.
Continued Attacks in the Region
Reports indicate further attacks across Gulf countries. Drones were launched toward the cities of Irbil and Sulaymaniyah in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. Additionally, an oil vessel flying the Australian flag was struck near Khor Al-Zubair Port, according to two Iraqi navy officials who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information. Twenty-five crew members were rescued, but the status of others remains unclear.
Violence in Israel and Lebanon
On Thursday, sirens sounded and explosions were reported shortly after midnight in Jerusalem and other parts of Israel. The Israeli military confirmed it was conducting a “wide-scale wave of strikes” in Tehran.
The conflict’s repercussions extended to Lebanon, where Israeli strikes targeted locations associated with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. An Israeli strike hit a vehicle in Ramlet al-Bayda, a coastal area in Beirut sheltering displaced individuals, resulting in seven fatalities and 21 injuries, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The Israeli military stated it was unaware of the strike at that location.
Explosions also rocked Beirut’s southern suburbs, leading to fires and smoke. The Israeli military indicated that these strikes were in retaliation for Hezbollah’s simultaneous rocket fire across northern Israel, marking some of the most intense fighting since the conflict began.
At least 634 individuals have died in Lebanon since the onset of the latest fighting, as reported by the Lebanese Health Ministry. The U.N. refugee agency noted that at least 759,000 people have been internally displaced in Lebanon.
Iranian authorities reported over 1,300 fatalities within their borders, while Israel has confirmed 12 deaths. The U.S. has lost seven soldiers, with eight others sustaining severe injuries.
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Published on 2026-03-11 17:47:00 • By Editorial Desk
