Israel and Iran attacked each other on Saturday as the U.S. was sending thousands more Marines to the Middle East and President Donald Trump accused NATO allies of cowardice over their reluctance to help open the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel also attacked Beirut, saying it was targeting Hezbollah as it steps up airstrikes targeting the Iran-backed Lebanese militia in the deadliest spillover from the war on Iran since Hezbollah fired on Israel in support of Tehran on March 2.
More than 2,000 people have been killed since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, while Americans appear increasingly concerned at signs the war could expand further as it enters its fourth week. Vital energy infrastructure in Iran and neighbouring Gulf states has been attacked, sending oil prices up 50% and threatening global economic shock. Israel said Saturday’s attacks on Iran included Tehran, Karaj west of the capital and the central city of Isfahan. Iran fired two ballistic missiles at the U.S.-British military base Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, demonstrating the reach of its weaponry, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported. The Wall Street Journal said two intermediate-range ballistic missiles were launched but did not hit the base. Natural gas prices in Europe surged as much as 35% this week as Iran and Israel hit some of the region’s most important gas infrastructure. The EU urged members to lower gas-storage targets and start refilling reserves gradually to curb demand, the Financial Times reported on Saturday. The Strait of Hormuz, conduit for around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, has been effectively closed to most shipping. Trump on Friday called U.S. allies “cowards” for not helping open the strait. Several allies, who were not consulted before the war, have pledged to join “appropriate efforts” to ensure safe passage through the strait, but Germany and France have said fighting must stop first. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would speak to Trump this weekend. Three U.S. officials told Reuters on Friday that 2,500 Marines, along with the amphibious assault ship Boxer and accompanying warships, would deploy to the region, although they did not say what their role would be.
Sources reveal that possible targets could include Iran’s coast or Kharg Island oil export hub. Trump said on Thursday he was “not putting troops anywhere”, when asked about his plans, adding, “If I were, I certainly wouldn’t tell you.”