Author: BlackMask Financial

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S. Arabia to Iran: Will do what’s necessary to protect ourselves….Kuwait experiencing limited power outage…. Crown Plaza hotel in Bahrain hit, no casualties…….Explosions reported in Riyadh….. Drones hit Omani commercial port…… UAE says 3 killed, 58 injured in Iranian attacks…..Iran attacks injure 12 in Kuwait

The Saudi Arabian authorities warned Iran on Sunday that the country “will do what is needed to protect [itself]” if the strikes on its territory continue. However, the kingdom provided no details on what its retaliation against Iran might look like. The Saudi Foreign Ministry previously denounced Iran’s actions, saying that the strike came “despite the Iranian authorities’ knowledge that the Kingdom had affirmed it would not allow its airspace or territory to be used to target Iran.”

Kuwait experiencing limited power outage

Kuwait is experiencing some power outages on Sunday amid the recent strikes carried out by Iran. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Electricity shared in a statement that, as a result of drone debris falling on power lines, some parts of the country are going through a “limited power outage.” It was further noted that emergency teams are on the field, assessing the damage and trying to fix the issue.

Crown Plaza hotel in Bahrain hit, no casualties

The Crown Plaza hotel in Bahrain’s capital city of Manama was hit in an Iranian attack on Sunday, the country’s Interior Ministry said in a short statement. The strike caused material damage to the hotel, but there were no casualties, the ministry added. Meanwhile, the United States Embassy in Bahrain said it was tracking the incident. Additionally, it warned US citizens that hotels may be targets of future attacks, advising them to avoid hotels in Manama

Explosions reported in Riyadh

Residents in the eastern part of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, reported hearing several loud explosionson Sunday, according to Agence France‑Presse (AFP). AFP said its correspondents in the area confirmed hearing the blasts. The news comes a day after Riyadh was struck by Iranian attacks, marking this a new wave of explosions in the city.

Drones hit Omani commercial port

Two drones struck the Omani port of Duqm on Sunday, injuring one worker, Oman News Agency reported. One drone hit a mobile worker accommodation unit, while the debris from the second drone fell near the fuel tanks without causing any material damage, the agency said. Prior to the attack, the United States Embassy in Oman instructed staff and citizens to shelter in place today due to “ongoing activity” outside the capital Muscat. This was the first strike in Oman, a key mediator in negotiations between the US and Iran, since Iran had launched retaliatory attacks targeting countries that host US military bases across the Middle East.

UAE says 3 killed, 58 injured in Iranian attacks

The United Arab Emirates Defense Ministry said on Sunday that at least three people were killed and 58 were lightly wounded in Iranian strikes over the weekend. The three people killed were Pakistani, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi nationals, according to the statement. The ministry also said that its forces detected 165 ballistic missiles, destroying 152, while 13 fell into the sea. The UAE’s military intercepted two cruise missiles. A total of “541 Iranian drones were detected, 506 of which were intercepted and destroyed, while 35 fell within the country’s territory,” the ministry concluded.

Iran attacks injure 12 in Kuwait

Kuwait’s Health Ministry said at least 12 people suffered injuries after airstrikes in the region, according to the state news agency KUNA. Authorities reportedly described the victims’ injuries as minor, including a hand wound and light cuts to the face and neck. This comes after Kuwait reported that a drone struck Kuwait International Airport.

NN: Iran’s new leadership… the mot radical miscalculated again. They decided to attack the gulf states. They were hoping this would force the US to back down fearing a wider conflict. They were shocked as the gulf states aligned themselves and are attacking Iran.

 

 

 

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Ships Avoid Hormuz as Iran Media Says It’s Practically Shut

Oil and gas tankers are increasingly avoiding the Hormuz shipping strait that links the oil-rich Persian Gulf to the open seas after the US and Israel bombed Iran, with Iranian media saying the waterway is “practically closed.” Ships reported hearing a radio broadcast purporting to come from the Iranian navy announcing that transit through the waterway was banned. There’s been no formal announcement from Tehran about the status of the strait, which is crucial for the flow of oil and gas. Some tankers have turned around as they near Hormuz, and at least one shipowner decided not to send a vessel into the strait as a result of the broadcast, according to a person familiar with the matter. Still, some ships appear to be continuing their journeys through, according to vessel tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. The semi-official Tasnim news agency, describing the waterway as effectively shut, said Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned ships that transiting Hormuz is not safe. This is the first signs of disruption to commodity markets from the US decision to attack Iran, though it’s unclear how long it will last. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important focal points at times of tension with Iran, because a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas goes through it each day. Tehran has in the past threatened to block it, but has never fully closed it. Traffic had already slowed significantly in the wake of the attacks, and Bloomberg reported earlier that tankers were piling up both inside and outside of the entrance into the strait. The US issued a warning to shipping that vessels in the region should stay 30 nautical miles away from its military assets. Japanese giant Nippon Yusen KK earlier told its fleet not to navigate Hormuz, while Greece told its vast merchant fleet to reassess passage, according to a circular seen by Bloomberg. One owner had said they interpreted the US advisory as effectively closing the waterway. The warning from Greece’s shipping ministry also told ships to be ready to use “conventional” navigation methods that don’t use electronics, citing the risk of interference while sailing in the region. A prolonged disruption would send shockwaves through the oil market. Futures markets are closed on Saturday and Sunday, giving reduced insight into how traders are really pricing risk.

However, a retail trading product, run by IG Group Ltd., was pricing West Texas Intermediate as high as $75.33 at one point, a gain of as much as 12% from Friday’s close.

Oil tankers are coming to a stop on both sides of Hormuz, with three vessels halting journeys out of the Persian Gulf and a small flotilla of at least 8 tankers building up over the past two weeks outside the Gulf of Oman. Others are aborting their voyages part way through the waterway. At least three gas tankers going to or from Qatar have paused voyages to avoid the waterway, according to ship-tracking data. Qatar is the world’s second-largest LNG exporter, making up 20% of supply last year, and the country’s shipments must pass through the Strait to reach buyers in Asia and Europe. Some shipowners were considering canceling already-fixed voyages into the Middle East, shipbrokers said, citing a war clause that gives them the right to do so should hostilities break out between a list of countries including the US and Iran. This could tighten the supply of vessels in the region, further supporting high freight rates that have recently soared to the highest level in years.

NN: In the grey market they are quoting Brent a little north of $80.00 a barrel

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Israel, US preparing for ‘at least a week’ of joint strikes on Iran……. US forces are locked in air-defense battles

The officials also said that the strike at a US Navy base in Bahrain left no injuries, with the Iranian missile only hitting an empty building. US-Israeli joint strikes on Iran are expected to continue for at least a week, Israeli officials told Walla on Saturday afternoon. A report by Fox News also stated that US officials expect the event to last several days, rather than hours. The officials also said that the strike at a US Navy base in Bahrain left no injuries, with the Iranian missile only hitting an empty building. This comes after the US and Israel launched a joint strike on Iran in the early hours of Saturday morning. Iranian state media reported explosions in Tehran, Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Karaj. Meanwhile, sirens sounded across the whole of Israel as Iran bombarded the Jewish State, along with several other Middle Eastern countries, in a counterattack. So far, no Israeli citizens have been confirmed to have been killed.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei cut off from contact, assumed to be injured

Notably, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been cut off from contact and is rumored to be injured. Israeli officials told Walla that they were uncertain of his status as of Saturday afternoon. No official confirmation has been received by Israeli, American, or Iranian sources

US forces are locked in air-defense battles

  • US forces are actively engaged in air defense operations in the Middle East, an official said.

  • The operations involve American air, land, and sea forces.

  • It comes as Iran has launched retaliatory missiles following US and Israeli strikes.

American forces are actively engaged in air defense operations in the Middle East, a US official told Business Insider, as Iran launches retaliatory missile strikes at countries across the region. The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the military developments, said that US land, air, and naval forces are participating in the air defense operations, including for American bases in the Middle East. Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency said that the IRGC, or Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, launched missiles at US bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. All four countries host major US military installations. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is the largest in the Middle East, while Naval Support Activity Bahrain is home to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet. Kuwait and the UAE also host important bases for ground and air forces. Qatar’s defense ministry said it shot down Iranian missiles targeting the country in multiple waves. Bahrain’s state news agency said that 5th Fleet was attacked. Rocket shrapnel killed at least one person in the UAE, the country said, adding that it intercepted several incoming munitions. The Israeli military said it detected multiple waves of missiles fired from Iran, with air defense systems working to intercept them. Iran carried out retaliatory strikes against US military sites in Bahrain. The US embassies in several Middle East countries, including Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan, issued warnings earlier that missile strikes were imminent, warning American citizens to shelter in place. The US has surged military forces into the region in recent weeks, assembling a substantial presence capable of conducting air defense operations. More than a dozen US warships, including two aircraft carriers, are operating in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. American fighter jets and air defense batteries are also operating in the region.

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Israel claims killing of Khamenei, Pezeshkian

Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, along with other top Iranian officials, are said to have been killed in an Israeli strike, the Israeli Channel 12 reported on Saturday, citing military sources.

The information has not been officially confirmed yet.

The Times of Israel reported that an Israeli official confirmed the killings. The outlet claimed “very high success” of the Israeli military in eliminating Iran’s top leadership. An earlier report of the Iranian media confirmed that the presidential building was targeted in a strike.

NN: Wont he be surprised when he finds out their are no virgins waiting for him!
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OIL SET TO SOAR WHEN MARKETS REOPEN SUNDAY NIGHT

  • The United States and Israel launched a massive, coordinated military strike across Iran, including the capital of Tehran, marking a major escalation in the regional conflict.
  • The attack, which included strikes on cities like Isfahan and Qom, led Israel to declare a state of emergency and close its airspace.
  • Analysts expect significant volatility and a sharp “war premium” to be priced into crude oil when markets open, as the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for 20 percent of the world’s oil supply, is now considered a war zone. Global energy markets are set to see significant volatility following a United States-Israel coordinated wave of military strikes across Iran early this morning. The attack, which targeted multiple cities including the capital of Tehran, marks a huge escalation in a regional conflict that has simmered for months. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the “preemptive strike” as a state of emergency was declared across Israel. U.S. officials described the operation as “not a small strike,” involving attack planes from regional bases and aircraft carriers. On Friday, crude prices rose more than 2% as traders considered the likelihood of a strike after the meeting between Iran and the U.S. in Switzerland failed to produce any meaningful progress. The strikes come during a period of extreme domestic instability within Iran. Human rights groups estimate that over 5,000 protesters have been killed in a recent government crackdown. President Donald Trump cited both the nuclear program and the treatment of protesters as justifications for the assault. Anticipating the attack, Iranian authorities reportedly spent the last several days rushing to ship as much crude oil as possible out of the country. Satellite imagery and shipping data indicated an unusual surge in tanker activity at Iranian terminals throughout the week. Tehran sought to maximize its revenue and clear storage facilities before the potential destruction of infrastructure or the implementation of even stricter maritime blockades. This is the second time the U.S. has struck Iranian soil in less than a year. In June 2025, American warplanes bombed three nuclear sites, including the Fordo enrichment facility. While that conflict ended in a brief ceasefire, the current operation appears far more extensive. Israel has closed its airspace and suspended all civilian flights. The Home Front Command has ordered the public to cease non-essential activities, prohibiting gatherings and closing schools. In Iran, the strikes occurred on a Saturday morning, the start of the work week, leading to reports of chaos as millions were already in offices and classrooms. With the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for 20 percent of the world’s oil supply, now effectively a war zone, analysts expect a sharp “war premium” to be priced into crude at the Monday market open.
NN: ALL IN! BUY THE SHIT OUT OF OIL

 

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Trump confirms ‘major combat operations’ in Iran….Iran targets US Navy headquarters in Bahrain….IRGC confirms ‘first wave of missiles’ against Israel….. Houthis said to resume attacks on Red Sea…Explosions in Kuwait, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi

United States President Donald Trump confirmed that US forces are conducting “major combat operations” in Iran. He described the campaign as “massive and ongoing” and said the effort aims to stop Iran from threatening US lives and national security. Trump said the operations respond to Iran’s efforts to rebuild its nuclear program after previous US strikes. “They rejected every opportunity to reach their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it anymore,” he said. The operations were coordinated with Israel, with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirming the strikes first.

IRGC confirms ‘first wave of missiles’ against Israel

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed on Saturday the “first wave of missiles” launched against Israel, following a joint attack from Tel Aviv and Washington. The blasts come “in response to the hostile and criminal enemy’s aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the military’s statement reads. Several reports confirmed Iran’s blasts against Israel, targeting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem

Houthis said to resume attacks on Red Sea

The Yemen-based Houthis said they will resume attacks on ships in the Red Sea corridor, AP reported, citing rebel officials. The announcement follows a series of strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, with Tehran responding by targeting Israeli sites after attacks on Iranian positions. The Houthis, an Iran-backed group, control large parts of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa.

NN: Trump will go down in history as one of the great leaders of all time,,, with all his warts and pimples. 

 

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Trump ‘not happy’ with Iran, but no decision yet

United States President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that while he is “not happy” with Iran, he has yet to make a decision on Washington’s actions regarding the matter. When asked about using military force against Tehran, the US head of state reiterated that while he wouldn’t like to, “sometimes you have to [use force].” He added that Iran is not saying “the golden words: No nuclear weapons.” Trump once again advised Iran to make a deal, as this would be a “smart” choice. He noted that more talks are expected on Friday. On regime changes in Iran, the US president said that that may or may not happen.

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Trump said to be briefed on military options for Iran

United States President Donald Trump received a briefing on potential military options for Iran from Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), ABC News reported, citing a person close to the president. Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine attended the briefing as the president’s top military adviser, a second person familiar with the discussion told the news agency. The briefing, which took place on Thursday, comes amid renewed indirect nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran in Geneva, where delegations from both countries are trying to avert conflict.

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Oil Prices Surge 3.7% as U.S.-Iran Standoff Triggers Higher 2026 Forecasts

Economists and oil market analysts have hiked their oil price forecasts for 2026 amid rising geopolitical tensions and heightened war premium due to the U.S.-Iran standoff.  Both crude oil benchmarks are now expected to average above $60 per barrel this year, with price forecasts higher by about $1.50 per barrel compared to a month ago, the monthly Reuters poll showed on Friday.  Despite ongoing concerns about an oversupplied market, the 34 analysts and economists surveyed by Reuters in February raised their projections in view of uncertainties in how the Iran crisis would unfold in the coming weeks and months.  In the February poll, Brent Crude prices are expected to average $63.85 per barrel in 2026. This month’s estimate is higher compared to the January forecast of $62.02. The analysts in the poll expect the U.S. benchmark, WTI Crude, to average above $60 per barrel this year, too—at $60.38 a barrel, up from $58.72 expected in January.     Year to date, Brent price have averaged $70.48 per barrel and WTI – $65.01 a barrel.  Early on Friday, both benchmarks were trading 3% higher, with Brent near $73 and WTI at $67, after the United States and Iran adjourned the Thursday talks with plans for another round of negotiations next week.  Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi, who was mediating the indirect talks in Geneva, said the parties had made “significant progress” in the nuclear talks. Next week, negotiations are set to be held in Vienna, Austria.    It is the ongoing U.S.-Iran standoff that has been the main driver of oil analysts in the Reuters poll to raise their oil price forecasts for this year.  Currently, the geopolitical risk premium already baked in the price of oil is about $4-$10 per barrel, analysts say.   The war premium, the OPEC+ supply policy, and the fundamentals in supply-demand balances will steer the direction of oil prices this year, they note.

NN Won’t they be surprised if we hit $100 Brent

 

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Oil up with US-Iran in focus

Crude oil prices rose by more than 1.8% on Friday after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that his country’s delegation will meet the American negotiating team next week for another round of nuclear talks. Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump was reportedly briefed on potential military options for Iran, following reports of US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, being “disappointed” with the latest negotiating round. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for settlements in April climbed by 1.84% at 5:04 am ET, going for $66.40 per barrel. Meanwhile, Brent for the same month’s deliveries advanced by 1.81% and went for $71.93 a barrel at 5:03 am ET.