International Desk, Mar 12 (EFE).- New attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, including two oil tankers in Iraqi territorial waters, marked the 13th day of the war with Iran, while Brent crude rose again above $100 per barrel.
The conflict, launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on Feb. 28, has already lasted longer than the 12-day war of June 2025 and continues to destabilize the Middle East, raising fears of an energy crisis despite emergency measures announced by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Here are the latest developments in the conflict:
Attack on two tankers in Iraq leaves one dead
Two oil tankers were attacked in Iraqi territorial waters in the Persian Gulf, leaving at least one person dead and 37 rescued, the head of Iraq’s Security Cell told local broadcaster Al Iraqiya.
Baghdad described the incident as “a violation of its sovereignty” and said it reserves the right to take action.
The General Company for Iraqi Ports (GCPI) announced the suspension of operations at the country’s oil terminals, although commercial ports remain open.
New strikes in the Gulf
A new wave of overnight attacks struck Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, fuel tanks near the capital of Bahrain, and a building in Kuwait.
Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry reported intercepting at least 18 drones, while another drone attack caused a fire at fuel tanks in the port of Salalah in Oman.
Another incident near the Strait of Hormuz
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported a new projectile strike on a container ship in the Persian Gulf, about 35 nautical miles from the UAE, near the Strait of Hormuz.
On Wednesday alone, UKMTO recorded at least three ships hit by projectiles in the Hormuz area.
The strategic strait, linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, normally carries around 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Iran, which borders the northern side of the strait, has repeatedly threatened to block oil exports from the region if attacks against it continue.
Three Thai sailors missing
Three Thai sailors remain missing after an attack on the Thai cargo ship MV Mayuree Naree in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday.
Twenty crew members were rescued by the Omani navy.
According to Thai authorities, the vessel may have been involved in one of the three incidents reported by UKMTO the previous day, alongside ships linked to Greece and Japan.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for attacks on a Thai vessel and another Israeli ship, although the latter has not been confirmed by UKMTO.
Israeli strikes in Tehran; casualties in Lebanon
The Israeli army said Thursday it had begun “a wide wave of attacks” against targets in Tehran.
The announcement came after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed a joint operation with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, described by Israel as the first coordinated attack of the war.
Meanwhile, at least 24 people were killed and more than 50 injured in Lebanon in new Israeli bombardments.
At least eight people were killed and dozens injured Thursday in an Israeli strike on a beach area in Beirut that hosts large numbers of displaced people, authorities said.
Trump says war “won,” but operations continue
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the war against Iran “is won,” while suggesting that military operations would continue for an unspecified period.
Oil prices surge again
Despite the IEA’s announcement of the largest emergency release of reserves in its history, 400 million barrels, Brent crude again surpassed $100 per barrel during Asian trading on Thursday as markets reacted to escalating risks in the Gulf. EFE
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