Iran has fired a new wave of missiles at Israel and Gulf Arab states, signalling its continued military capability despite claims by Donald Trump that the threat from Tehran has been largely neutralised.
Explosions were reported in several locations late on Wednesday and into Thursday, including in Dubai, where air defence systems were activated to intercept incoming missiles.
Iran’s military response came shortly before and after Mr Trump delivered a televised address in which he said US “core strategic objectives are nearing completion” and suggested the war could end soon.
Tehran rejected those claims, with a military spokesman insisting the country retains hidden stockpiles of weapons and undisclosed production facilities beyond the reach of its adversaries.
Sirens were also heard in Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, while Israel said its forces were working to intercept additional incoming missiles shortly after the US president’s remarks.
The escalation comes as the conflict increasingly disrupts global energy supplies, with Iran tightening its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil shipments.
Nearly all commercial traffic through the strait has been halted following Iranian attacks on vessels and the threat of further strikes, raising concerns over prolonged supply disruptions.
Around 20% of globally traded oil passes through the waterway in normal conditions, making the disruption one of Tehran’s most significant strategic levers in the conflict.
In response, the United Kingdom is set to hold talks with nearly three dozen countries on ways to secure and eventually reopen the strait once fighting subsides.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the discussions would focus on diplomatic and political measures, as countries remain reluctant to pursue a military solution while hostilities continue.
Meanwhile, Mr Trump has suggested that nations dependent on Gulf oil should take responsibility for reopening the route, arguing the United States should not lead such an effort.
The conflict has already had a heavy human toll, with more than 1,900 people reported killed in Iran and at least 19 in Israel, alongside casualties in Gulf states and among US forces.
Beyond the region, the war is also driving sharp increases in energy prices, with Brent crude rising to around $108 a barrel, up roughly 50% since the start of the conflict, fuelling concerns about global inflation and economic instability.
