Iran launched fresh attacks across the Middle East on Friday, targeting energy infrastructure in the Gulf and escalating tensions as the conflict entered its fifth week, according to developments reported on the ground.
The strikes damaged a desalination plant and set ablaze a major oil refinery in Kuwait, marking a significant escalation in Tehran’s strategy of targeting critical infrastructure beyond Israel.
At the same time, U.S. and Israeli forces continued airstrikes inside Iran, underscoring the persistence of military operations despite mounting calls for de-escalation.
Friday’s developments highlighted Iran’s continued capacity to project force across the region, despite repeated claims by Washington and Tel Aviv that its military capabilities had been severely degraded.
In a parallel diplomatic signal, former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif published a proposal calling for an end to the war, suggesting that prolonged hostilities would only deepen losses without changing the current stalemate.
Zarif proposed that Iran could limit its nuclear program and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the lifting of sanctions, a framework that appears to combine elements of both U.S. and Iranian positions.
However, uncertainty remains over the weight of his proposal, as he no longer holds an official government position, even though he is believed to retain influence within Iran’s political establishment.
On the ground, Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi refinery was hit multiple times, with authorities confirming that firefighters were battling several blazes at the facility.
Iranian strikes also caused material damage to a desalination plant in Kuwait, raising concerns over water security in Gulf countries that rely heavily on such facilities for drinking water.
Elsewhere in the region, sirens sounded in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia reported intercepting Iranian drones, and the United Arab Emirates shut down a gas field after missile debris reportedly ignited a fire.
The escalation comes amid growing economic repercussions, as Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt global energy markets and drive oil prices sharply higher.
Brent crude prices surged to around $109 per barrel on Friday, representing an increase of more than 50% since the start of the conflict, with markets reacting to the continued closure of the strategic waterway.
Diplomatic efforts remain stalled, despite a reported 15-point U.S. proposal for a ceasefire and Iran’s counteroffer, with no clear breakthrough in negotiations.
Attention is now turning to the United Nations Security Council, which is expected to consider a proposal on Saturday aimed at securing maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz, amid divisions among major powers over the use of force.
