Iran Blocks Key Oil Route, Attacks Gulf Nations as Energy Crisis Fears Mount

Tehran continues targeting Gulf Arab nations' energy infrastructure while blocking crucial oil shipping lanes following U.S. and Israeli strikes. The conflict has pushed oil prices over $100 per barrel and prompted President Trump to seek international help protecting shipping routes.

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) — The Lebanese capital shook from massive blasts in the early hours of Monday as Israeli forces targeted the city. Meanwhile, Israeli military operations expanded with fresh strikes against Tehran, and Dubai’s major airport shut down temporarily after an Iranian drone struck a fuel storage facility.

Following attacks by the United States and Israel over two weeks ago, Tehran has maintained a steady campaign of drone and missile strikes against Israeli targets, American military installations, and energy facilities throughout Gulf Arab nations.

The Islamic Republic has also brought shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to a virtual standstill. This critical waterway handles one-fifth of global oil transport, sparking mounting concerns about a worldwide energy shortage and increasing political pressure on Washington as fuel costs burden American consumers.

International oil benchmark Brent crude held firm above $100 per barrel Monday morning. Trading opened at $104, marking a nearly 45% increase since the February 28 U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran began. Prices have reached peaks of approximately $120 throughout this conflict.

President Donald Trump revealed he has reached out to roughly seven nations requesting naval vessels to maintain open passage through the Strait of Hormuz, though these requests have yielded no firm pledges. Republican leadership grows increasingly worried that escalating consumer prices could damage the party’s prospects in upcoming fall elections.

“I’m demanding that these countries come in and protect their own territory, because it is their own territory,” Trump told reporters as he flew back to Washington from Florida aboard Air Force One. He did not identify the countries, but has previously appealed to China, France, Japan, South Korea and Britain.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed suggestions that Tehran might pursue diplomatic resolution to end hostilities as “delusional,” posting on social media early Monday that his nation wanted neither “truce nor talks.”

“Our Powerful Armed Forces will keep firing until POTUS realizes that illegal war he’s imposing on both Americans and Iranians is wrong and must never be repeated,” he wrote on X.

Monday morning brought a drone attack on fuel storage near Dubai International Airport, the globe’s busiest hub for international passenger travel, igniting a substantial fire.

Emergency crews successfully controlled the flames without reported casualties, but airport operations ceased temporarily. Emirates airline, which operates its primary hub from this facility, announced all flights were “suspended until further notice.”

Subsequently, the UAE’s Defense Ministry reported its forces were engaging another wave of incoming Iranian missiles and drones.

Tehran has launched hundreds of projectiles toward Gulf nations hosting American military assets since fighting commenced. UAE officials report most attacks have been neutralized by defensive systems, though debris and some drones have penetrated the country.

Iranian leadership recently claimed the UAE permits its territory for launching attacks against Iran. Emirati officials have dismissed these accusations as false and emphasized their actions remain purely defensive.

Saudi Arabia reported intercepting 35 Iranian drones targeting its eastern provinces, where major petroleum facilities operate.

Israeli military confirmed early Monday that Iran had fired missiles toward Israeli territory.

According to Israeli forces, Iran deploys cluster munitions capable of bypassing certain air defense systems and dispersing smaller explosives across wide areas.

Thunderous explosions resonated through Beirut as Israel conducted pre-dawn attacks on the Lebanese capital, claiming to target infrastructure connected to Iran-allied Hezbollah militants.

Israeli military has ordered evacuations across numerous Beirut neighborhoods and southern Lebanon regions. More than 800,000 residents have been forced from their homes due to Israel’s Lebanese operations.

Israeli strikes have claimed at least 850 lives, including 107 children and 66 women.

Shortly after Israeli military announced new strikes on Tehran targeting infrastructure, explosions echoed through Iran’s capital and surrounding areas.

Red Cross figures indicate over 1,300 Iranian casualties so far.

Within Israel, Iranian missile attacks have killed 12 people with additional injuries, including three on Sunday. At least 13 American service members have died, with six perishing in an Iraqi plane crash last week.

Aboard Air Force One, Trump declined to specify which nations might join his proposed Strait of Hormuz security coalition to safeguard oil tankers and commercial vessels.

However, he warned he would remember countries that refuse assistance. He specifically mentioned British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who Trump said initially refused to deploy British aircraft carriers “into harm’s way.”

“Whether we get support or not, but I can say this, and I said to them: We will remember,” Trump said.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi informed parliament Monday that her administration “has not heard anything” from Washington regarding Trump’s naval assistance request for Strait of Hormuz protection.

Japan relies on Middle Eastern sources for over 90% of its crude oil imports, and she noted discussions about protecting Japanese vessels “regardless of a U.S. request.”

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated he has no intentions of deploying warships to the Strait of Hormuz given current security conditions.

Japan initiated emergency oil reserve releases Monday to address supply shortage concerns and rising prices.

Trump predicted price decreases but avoided directly confirming whether his administration considers selling oil futures to limit surging costs, despite his interior secretary mentioning this possibility.

“The prices are going to come tumbling down as soon as it’s over. And it’s going to be over pretty quickly,” he told reporters.