By Our Correspondent
National News – Iran intensified military attacks across the Middle East on Monday following a sharp warning from U.S. President Donald Trump demanding Tehran reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Early reports confirm missile and drone strikes targeted Israel, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates.
Tehran’s military vowed “much more devastating” retaliation if civilian areas are hit, escalating fears of regional conflict.
The heightened tensions coincided with Trump setting a Tuesday deadline for Iran to comply, threatening strikes on power plants and bridges.
The conflict has disrupted global energy markets as Iran’s actions obstruct a vital oil shipping route. Brent crude surpassed $110 per barrel while U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose to $113.62.
Security analysts warn that a negotiated resolution remains unlikely.
Tehran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, accused Trump of acting on Israeli directives, while Russia called for a return to diplomacy.
Despite threats, daily life in Tehran appeared largely unchanged with residents in parks and public spaces.
The situation worsened after the successful rescue of a U.S. airman whose fighter jet crashed in Iranian territory.
Multiple reports confirm U.S. forces destroyed stranded aircraft to prevent capture, while Iran claims several U.S. planes were downed.
Fresh missile and drone attacks were reported in the UAE and Israel, prompting defensive measures.
The UAE warned that Iran’s aggression could strengthen U.S.-led intervention in the Gulf, while Israel intensified strikes against Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, raising concerns about wider escalation.
The war, which began on February 28 with U.S.-Israeli strikes in Tehran, has now drawn multiple Middle Eastern nations into hostilities, with civilian casualties reported in residential areas and infrastructure severely affected.
Leaders and international organizations continue to urge dialogue, with Pope Leo XIV appealing for peace during Easter celebrations.
Analysts warn that ongoing strikes threaten both regional stability and global economic security.
