Iran has warned it could target parks, recreational areas and tourist spots around the world, while insisting it is continuing missile production despite ongoing attacks. The statement came nearly three weeks after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes that have killed several top Iranian leaders and severely damaged its weapons and energy sectors.
Iran has also launched attacks on Israel and energy facilities in nearby Gulf Arab countries during a period when many Muslims are observing a major religious occasion. At the same time, people in Iran are marking Nowruz, the Persian New Year, though celebrations are quieter than usual due to the conflict.
With limited information coming from inside Iran, the full extent of damage to its military, nuclear and energy facilities remains unclear. It is also uncertain who is currently leading the country. However, Iran has shown it can still carry out attacks that are disrupting oil supplies and affecting the global economy, driving up food and fuel prices.
The United States and Israel have given different reasons for the war, including attempts to weaken Iran’s leadership and stop its nuclear and missile programmes. So far, there are no visible signs of an internal uprising in Iran, and it remains unclear how the conflict will end.
Iran remains defiant
Iran’s military spokesperson Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi warned that tourist and recreational locations could become targets for Iran’s enemies. His comments have raised concerns that Iran might expand attacks beyond the Middle East.
U.S. and Israeli officials say their strikes have significantly weakened Iran’s military. Reports indicate that several high-ranking leaders, including the country’s supreme leader and senior security officials, have been killed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Iran’s naval and air forces have been largely destroyed and that its ballistic missile production has been halted. However, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard rejected this claim.
Spokesman Gen. Ali Mohammad Naeini said Iran is still producing missiles even during wartime and has no shortage in stockpiling. He also suggested that Iran is not seeking a quick end to the war. Shortly after his remarks were broadcast, Iranian state media reported that he was killed in an airstrike.
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, in a rare statement, said Iran’s enemies should feel insecure. He has not appeared in public since taking over after his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed at the start of the conflict.
Attacks spread across the region
Iran has increased attacks on energy facilities in Gulf countries following an Israeli strike on its South Pars gas field earlier this week.
A Kuwaiti oil refinery, Mina Al-Ahmadi, was hit by Iranian drones early Friday, causing a fire. The refinery is one of the largest in the region. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia also reported incidents involving intercepted projectiles and drones targeting key areas.
Explosions were heard in Dubai as air defence systems responded to incoming threats during Eid al-Fitr celebrations.
Meanwhile, in Iran, people continued marking Nowruz amid reports of new Israeli strikes and explosions in Tehran. Explosions were also reported in Jerusalem following warnings of incoming Iranian missiles, leaving two elderly people slightly injured.
Israel has continued strikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group, and expanded its operations to Syria, citing attacks on the Druze community.
Rising casualties and global impact
More than 1,300 people have reportedly been killed in Iran since the conflict began. In Lebanon, over 1,000 people have died and more than 1 million have been displaced. Israel has reported 15 deaths from Iranian missile attacks, while additional casualties were recorded in the West Bank. At least 13 U.S. troops have also been killed.
The ongoing conflict is increasing risks to the global economy. Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments, along with attacks on energy infrastructure, have raised fears of an energy crisis.
Global oil prices have surged, with Brent crude rising sharply since the war began. Higher fuel costs are adding pressure to already rising prices of food and consumer goods worldwide. Disruptions in the supply of key materials are also expected to push prices higher across various industries.