Tehran Defiant as Trump Warns Iran Conflict May Last Weeks
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US President Donald Trump said the bombing campaign against Iran could last for weeks and called on the nation’s leaders to capitulate, while the Islamic Republic’s security chief ruled out negotiations.
The conflict continued to reverberate across the Middle East, with blasts heard across Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as states intercepted Iranian missiles launched in response to US-Israeli strikes.
Oil surged the most in four years, and airlines suspended flights, causing major disruptions at some of the world’s busiest airports.
The US said three fighter jets crashed in Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident.
Israel expanded its campaign to Beirut after coming under attack from Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon, who are allied with Tehran.
Oil traded about 10% higher near $80 a barrel as traders gauged the impact of the war on energy flows, with tanker traffic through the vital Strait of Hormuz at a near halt.
QatarEnergy suspended production of liquefied natural gas due to attacks on its facilities, while operations were paused at Saudi Arabia’s largest refinery after a drone strike.
Fuel prices soared across global markets, and stocks tumbled.
Tehran is looking to name a new supreme leader after Khamenei was killed during the opening salvo of US-Israeli strikes.
