Iran Targets Busiest International Airport as UN Demands Halt to Gulf Attacks
DUBAI – On Wednesday, Iran launched attacks on the world’s busiest international airport and targeted commercial ships amid ongoing U.S. and Israeli strikes in Tehran. The United Nations Security Council has called for an immediate cessation of Iran’s assaults on Gulf nations, which pose a significant threat to global oil supplies.
Escalation of Conflict
These latest attacks signify a marked escalation in Iran’s efforts to inflict economic distress globally, aiming to pressure the United States and Israel to cease hostilities that have persisted for 12 days. Despite the intensification of military actions, there are no indications that the conflict is nearing resolution.
On Thursday, an Iranian strike ignited a substantial fire on Bahrain’s Muharraq Island, which hosts the kingdom’s international airport. Local authorities advised residents to remain indoors and close windows to mitigate smoke inhalation. The airport is equipped with jet fuel tanks, and additional tanks in the vicinity support the nation’s oil sector.
In a separate incident, an attack on Iraq’s Basra port resulted in at least one fatality and led to the suspension of operations at all oil terminals in the country. Farhan al-Fartousi, the director-general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, reported that the assault targeted a vessel in a ship-to-ship transfer area at the Persian Gulf port. While Iraq’s commercial ports remain operational, the oil terminals have been closed.
Financial Impact of the War
The Pentagon has estimated that the first week of conflict with Iran has cost the United States approximately $11.3 billion. This figure was shared with Congress during a recent briefing. Military expenditures included $5 billion spent on munitions alone during the initial weekend of the war.
Both Iran and its adversaries appear entrenched in their positions, each hoping to outlast the other. The ongoing conflict is disrupting trade routes, constricting supplies of fuel and fertilizer from the Gulf, and jeopardizing air traffic in one of the world’s most heavily traveled regions.
Iran has specifically targeted oil fields and refineries in Gulf Arab nations, effectively halting cargo traffic through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of all traded oil flows.
International Response
In response to the escalating crisis, 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 is also set to release 172 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve next week to address soaring prices.
The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to demand an end to Iran’s “egregious attacks” on its Gulf neighbors. This resolution reflects the international community’s growing concern over Iran’s actions, which threaten regional stability.
Recent attacks have resulted in injuries; four individuals were wounded when two Iranian drones struck near Dubai International Airport. Despite the drone strikes, flight operations continued, as confirmed by the Dubai Media Office. Firefighters also extinguished a fire at a luxury apartment tower in Dubai Creek Harbor following an Iranian drone attack.
At Oman’s Port of Salalah, emergency crews battled a blaze at fuel storage tanks, as reported by the Oman News Agency.
Statements from Global Leaders
Bahrain’s U.N. ambassador, Jamal Alrowaiei, emphasized the international community’s firm stance against Iranian attacks, highlighting the threats these pose to the stability of nations in a region vital to global economy and security.
The U.N. resolution passed with a 13-0 vote, underscoring Iran’s increasingly isolated position as it reacts aggressively to Israeli and U.S. military actions. Notably, China and Russia, both allies of Iran, abstained from the vote. Their U.N. representatives criticized the resolution for failing to acknowledge the strikes against Tehran that initiated the conflict.
Russia’s U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, expressed concern that the resolution could imply that Iran acted unprovoked against Arab states. Iranian U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani contended that the resolution neglects the underlying causes of the current crisis.
Continued Attacks and Casualties
Further attacks have been reported across Gulf nations. 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, as confirmed by two Iraqi navy officials. Reports indicate that 25 crew members were rescued, though the status of others remains unclear.
In Israel, sirens and explosions were reported shortly after midnight on Thursday, as the Israeli military conducted a new wave of strikes in Tehran. The conflict’s repercussions have extended to Lebanon, where Israeli forces targeted locations associated with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.
An Israeli airstrike hit a vehicle in Ramlet al-Bayda, a popular tourist area in Beirut, resulting in seven fatalities and 21 injuries, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The Israeli military stated it was unaware of the strike’s specifics.
The situation in Lebanon has escalated, with at least 634 reported deaths since the onset of the latest fighting. The U.N. refugee agency has indicated that over 759,000 individuals have been internally displaced in Lebanon due to the ongoing conflict.
Iranian authorities report more than 1,300 fatalities within their borders, while Israel has confirmed 12 deaths. The U.S. military has lost seven service members, with eight others sustaining serious injuries.
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Published on 2026-03-11 09:01:00 • By Editorial Desk
