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New attacks in the Middle East after several days of calm – oil price rises
🇳🇴 Norway /Conflict & Security

New attacks in the Middle East after several days of calm – oil price rises

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Iran launched missile attacks against U.S. targets, which were reportedly intercepted, while the U.S. and Saudi Arabia conducted precision strikes against Iranian-backed groups in Iraq.
  • The U.S. Middle East Command (Centcom) stated that Iran's Revolutionary Guard ordered these groups to attack U.S. and Saudi energy infrastructure, following at least 30 drone attacks in recent days.
  • The oil price increased significantly following the renewed hostilities, after having dropped earlier due to attempts at de-escalation.

Following a period of relative calm, new hostilities have erupted in the Middle East, with Iran launching missile attacks against U.S. targets and the U.S. and Saudi Arabia retaliating with strikes against Iranian-backed groups in Iraq. Centcom reported that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard had ordered these militias to target U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure, citing at least 30 drone attacks in the past 72 hours.

The groups have been ordered by the Revolutionary Guard in Iran to attack American targets and Saudi Arabian energy infrastructure, according to the U.S. Middle East Command (Centcom).

— CentcomExplaining the alleged motives behind the attacks by Iranian-backed groups.

Centcom described Iran's missile launch against a U.S. base in the region as a "surprise attack." This incident marks the first Iranian missile strike since U.S. President Donald Trump decided to temporarily halt attacks on Iran. Prior to this pause, the U.S. military had conducted nightly attacks for 13 consecutive nights. Centcom confirmed that multiple missiles were fired but all were intercepted, and U.S. forces remain on high alert.

The unjustified attacks against American forces were not successful, according to Centcom.

— CentcomConfirmation that the Iranian missile attacks were intercepted.

The renewed conflict has impacted global markets, with oil prices rising sharply. After dropping significantly due to mediation efforts from Oman aimed at fostering negotiations and a ceasefire, the price of Brent crude oil climbed to over $88 per barrel. This volatility underscores the fragile security situation in the region and its direct impact on energy markets.

American forces remain vigilant and at a high level of readiness.

— CentcomStatement on the current security posture of U.S. forces.

Additionally, Iran's Revolutionary Guard navy reported stopping three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz for allegedly ignoring warnings and sailing through an "unsafe and illegal route." The Iranian-backed militia group PMF confirmed casualties from the U.S. and Saudi strikes on their bases, while Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry affirmed its participation, stating that while further escalation is not desired, any aggression will be met with a response.

The Kingdom emphasizes that further escalation is not desired, but any aggression will be met.

— Saudi Arabia's Defense MinistrySaudi Arabia's official position on the conflict.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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