The Eastern Mediterranean region has witnessed a significant escalation in tensions, with Turkey deploying an air defense system and six F-16 fighter jets in Northern Cyprus. In a statement, the Turkish Ministry of Defense said it would take additional measures to ensure the security of Turkish Cypriots if necessary. The region has been witnessing a series of missile and drone attacks on Gulf states. A recent drone attack on Bahrain left 32 people injured, including four with critical injuries. The Bahraini Ministry of Health confirmed that all the injured individuals were Bahraini nationals.
In Qatar’s capital, Doha, several explosions were heard, with the Qatari Ministry of Defense announcing that its air defense system had successfully intercepted a missile attack. The United States has ordered its diplomatic staff to leave Saudi Arabia due to security concerns, following a drone attack on the US embassy in Riyadh last week. The Kuwaiti and UAE embassies have also been targeted in separate incidents.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated on social media that “the fig tree will not wither,” referring to the ongoing conflict. Protests were reported at Ben Gurion Airport, where several passengers were stranded. A US Tomahawk cruise missile struck an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base near a school. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that the aim of the US attacks was to destroy Iran’s missile program.
In a rare move, Emirati businessman Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor wrote an open letter to US President Donald Trump and US Senator Lindsey Graham, urging them to take a more diplomatic approach. A UAE military helicopter crashed in Dubai, killing two Emirati soldiers. Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes on Iran, targeting multiple targets.
Governments worldwide have been purchasing large quantities of arms, boosting the defense industry’s revenue and shares. Lebanon’s parliament voted to postpone general elections for two years. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that the US attacks destroyed 20 tanks, as well as US helicopters, logistics, and support facilities.
According to reports, 2,155 people have been killed and over 12,000 injured in Iran since the start of the conflict. US President Trump claimed that the elimination of Iran’s nuclear threat would lead to a sharp drop in oil prices, calling it a small price for global peace and security. The price of Brent crude oil rose to $117 per barrel, prompting G7 nations to intervene. Saudi Arabia condemned Iran’s aggression and vowed to take measures to reduce the country’s influence in the region.
