The attack on South Pars, a major component of the world’s largest natural gas deposit shared by Iran and Qatar, drove oil prices higher and intensified concerns over global energy supply disruptions.

Trump said Israel had acted “out of anger” and that Washington had no advance knowledge of the operation.

QatarEnergy reported “extensive damage” and sizeable fires at facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City following missile strikes, while Saudi Arabia said it intercepted four ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh and thwarted a drone attack on a gas installation in its eastern region.

The strikes mark a significant expansion of hostilities into critical energy infrastructure in the Gulf, a region central to global oil and gas markets. Ras Laffan processes roughly a fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas, making it one of the most strategically important energy hubs globally.

Iran carried out additional missile attacks on Thursday targeting Qatari gas facilities and the Saudi capital, according to officials, heightening fears of prolonged disruption to energy flows.

The South Pars field itself is a cornerstone of Iran’s gas production and is geologically linked to Qatar’s North Field, underscoring the cross-border risks posed by military escalation.In a post on X, Trump said Israel’s strike had been a response to developments in the region but warned Tehran against further escalation.

He described Iran’s subsequent targeting of Qatar’s LNG facilities as “unjustified,” adding that Doha had not been involved in the initial attack.

Trump said the United States would prevent further Israeli strikes on South Pars unless Iran “unwisely” targets Qatar again. He also warned that any such move by Tehran would trigger a large-scale U.S. response against the gas field.

Earlier reporting by the Wall Street Journal said Trump had approved Israel’s plan to strike Iran’s gas infrastructure, though the president said Washington had no prior knowledge of the specific operation.

Regional fallout widensIran’s actions reflect a broader pattern since the conflict began nearly four weeks ago, with Tehran targeting not only Israel but also U.S. diplomatic and military facilities across the Gulf. Iranian officials have also warned neighbouring states against facilitating attacks on its territory.

Saudi authorities said their air defences successfully neutralised incoming threats, while Qatar has yet to detail the full operational impact of the damage to its LNG facilities.

The widening scope of attacks on energy infrastructure has raised geopolitical and economic stakes, with markets reacting to the potential for sustained disruption across key supply routes and production hubs.

Katz said in a statement that the operation targeted Khatib as part of Israel’s ongoing military actions against senior Iranian officials. He added that he and Netanyahu had granted the military authority to eliminate additional high-ranking Iranian figures without requiring further approval.

Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed Khatib’s death, and there has been no immediate response from Tehran regarding the Israeli claim. The absence of verification leaves the status of the Iranian intelligence chief unclear.

Katz’s remarks indicate a potential broadening of Israel’s operational mandate, suggesting a shift toward faster decision-making in targeting senior adversaries. The authorization to proceed without additional political clearance points to heightened tensions and a more aggressive posture.

Regional implicationsThe reported strike, if confirmed, could mark a significant escalation in the confrontation between Israel and Iran, particularly given the seniority of the alleged target. Developments are likely to be closely monitored for their impact on regional stability and the risk of further retaliatory actions.

Tusk told a government meeting that Warsaw “does not plan any expedition to Iran,” adding that the decision was understood by the United States and other allies.He said the position applied across Poland’s land, air and naval forces.

Tusk emphasized that Poland’s military posture remains oriented toward its immediate security environment, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict linked to Ukraine.

He noted that strengthening capabilities along Poland’s eastern flank continues to take precedence.Securing the Baltic Sea remains a central pillar of Poland’s defense strategy, he added, underscoring Warsaw’s focus on regional deterrence and stability rather than participation in operations farther afield.

The remarks come after Trump called on allied nations to contribute to efforts to safeguard shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies that has faced attacks and threats attributed to Iranian forces during the third week of a U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

Several U.S. allies, including Germany, Spain and Italy, have also indicated they have no immediate plans to deploy naval assets to the region, signaling broader reluctance within Europe to expand military involvement.

Poland’s stance reflects a wider recalibration among European states balancing alliance commitments with domestic security priorities, particularly as military resources remain tied to reinforcing defenses closer to home.

The aviation authority had briefly closed the country’s airspace as regional security risks escalated, after the defence ministry said it was responding to incoming aerial threats from Iran.

The suspension of air traffic was described by officials as a precautionary step amid rapidly evolving developments in the region. No timeline was provided for the duration of the closure, but operations were restored within hours once the situation stabilised.

Authorities did not disclose details on the scale or origin of the threats beyond confirming missile and drone activity, nor did they indicate any damage or casualties linked to the incident.

The General Civil Aviation Authority said the measures were implemented to ensure the safety of airspace users and aligned with standard protocols during security contingencies.

The reopening signals that risk levels were assessed to have subsided sufficiently for normal operations to resume.

The UAE is a major global aviation hub, and even brief airspace closures can affect regional and international flight schedules, though no specific disruptions were detailed in the official statements.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where cross-border threats involving drones and missiles have increasingly prompted rapid defensive responses and precautionary restrictions on civilian infrastructure, including aviation corridors.

Officials have not issued further advisories following the resumption of air traffic.

The conflict, now entering its third week, has shut down shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes, sending oil prices higher and raising fears of renewed global inflation.

Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani said the military had detailed operational plans covering at least the next three weeks, with additional scenarios prepared for a longer campaign.

“We want to make sure that they are as weak as possible, this regime, and that we degrade all their capabilities, all parts and all wings of their security establishment,” Shoshani told reporters.

The Israeli military has framed the campaign as focused on degrading Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure, nuclear facilities and broader security apparatus. Officials say thousands of potential targets remain inside Iran.

Iran launched drone attacks targeting regional sites, temporarily shutting down Dubai airport and striking a key oil facility in the United Arab Emirates, according to reports cited by regional authorities.

The incidents underscored the widening regional impact of the conflict, which has drawn concern from energy markets and governments reliant on Gulf shipping lanes.

Air traffic at Dubai airport was briefly halted following the drone threat before operations resumed.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has become one of the most significant economic consequences of the war.

The narrow waterway between Iran and Oman handles roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making it one of the most strategically important energy chokepoints in the world.

The disruption has already pushed oil prices upward and intensified concerns among policymakers about inflationary pressure on global economies.

U.S. President Donald Trump called on Sunday for an international coalition to help reopen the shipping route, warning that the NATO alliance could face a “very bad” future if members fail to support Washington’s efforts.

Allies responded cautiously, expressing support for diplomatic initiatives to restore navigation through the Strait while signaling reluctance to commit to military action.Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran had not requested a ceasefire and had exchanged no messages with Washington, according to Iran’s semi-official Student News Network.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Mehr news agency reported that overnight Israeli strikes killed five people and wounded seven others in Markazi province in central Iran. The report said attacks struck a residential area on the outskirts of Arak city and a residential building in Mahallat county.

Israel has said its campaign remains focused on military and strategic infrastructure linked to Iran’s security apparatus.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that 20 people were detained in northwestern Iran after the provincial prosecutor’s office accused them of transmitting location details of military and security facilities to Israel.

Tasnim also reported the arrest of 10 individuals in northeastern Iran, a region that has so far remained largely untouched by the ongoing air strikes. According to the report, some of those detained were suspected of gathering information about sensitive sites and economic infrastructure.

Iran’s security agencies have intensified internal surveillance and arrests since Israeli and U.S. forces launched a series of strikes against targets in the country. Authorities have repeatedly warned of espionage networks operating inside Iran and accused Israel of attempting to exploit domestic unrest.

A provincial branch of the intelligence organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Israel and the United States were attempting to activate “mercenaries and spies” to trigger unrest alongside military operations, according to Tasnim.

Separately, the Student News Network reported that three people were detained in the western province of Lorestan on accusations of attempting to “disturb public opinion” and burn mourning symbols.

A source briefed on Israel’s military strategy told Reuters earlier this week that Israeli forces had begun targeting security checkpoints based on tip-offs from informants inside Iran, marking what the source described as a new phase in the military campaign.

In January, weeks before the United States and Israel launched the current war against Iran, the country experienced widespread anti-government protests. Iranian authorities responded with a crackdown that officials described as necessary to restore order, while blaming Israel and the United States for encouraging what they called violent riots aimed at overthrowing the clerical establishment.

The latest arrests underscore Iran’s growing focus on internal security as the conflict widens and authorities seek to curb suspected intelligence leaks and dissent during the ongoing military confrontation.

Macron said on the social media platform X that he had spoken with Iraq’s prime minister a day after the attack and welcomed Baghdad’s commitment to investigate the incident and strengthen protection for foreign forces stationed in the country.

“Yesterday, I spoke with the Iraqi prime minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani,” Macron wrote. “I thank him for his commitment to getting to the bottom of this attack and to strengthening measures to protect our forces, who are present in Iraq to fight, alongside the Iraqis, against the scourge of terrorism.”

French forces are deployed in Iraq as part of international efforts supporting Iraqi security forces in combating militant groups.

In a separate message on Saturday, Macron said France was ready to facilitate ceasefire discussions between Israel and Lebanon in Paris, signalling diplomatic engagement as tensions between Israel and the Iran-aligned Lebanese group Hezbollah continue to escalate.

Macron said Lebanese leaders were open to direct discussions with Israel and urged Israel to “seize this opportunity to launch ceasefire discussions, to find a lasting solution and to allow the Lebanese authorities to put in place their engagements for Lebanon’s sovereignty.”

The French president called on Israel to halt its offensive and urged Hezbollah to stop its actions, warning that continued hostilities risk pushing Lebanon into deeper instability.

“Everything must be done to stop Lebanon from descending into chaos,” Macron said.

France has historically maintained close political and economic ties with Lebanon and has frequently positioned itself as a diplomatic intermediary in crises involving the Mediterranean state.

An AFP journalist reported hearing explosions followed by the sight of black smoke rising above the diplomatic complex in central Baghdad shortly after the blasts. Two security officials said the embassy compound was hit, although the precise cause remained unclear.

One security source said a drone had struck the complex, while another said a projectile believed to be a rocket had fallen within the diplomatic zone near the embassy’s air base. The U.S. embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The embassy incident occurred hours after overnight strikes targeted positions linked to Kataeb Hezbollah, a powerful militia group aligned with Iran. According to security sources, a missile struck a house used by the group at around 02:15 a.m. local time, killing what officials described as a “key figure” and wounding two other members.

Roughly two hours later, another airstrike hit a vehicle in eastern Baghdad, killing a member of the Popular Mobilization Forces, also known as Hashed al-Shaabi. A senior official within the organization told AFP the individual belonged to Kataeb Hezbollah.None of the sources identified who carried out the strikes, and the militia group has not publicly commented.

Iraq has long been an arena for rivalry between Washington and Tehran, with armed groups aligned with Iran maintaining a strong presence across the country. The situation has intensified since U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran on Feb.

28 triggered a broader regional conflict.Several Iran-backed factions operate under an umbrella movement known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. The groups have claimed responsibility for repeated drone and rocket attacks targeting U.S. military facilities across the region.

Saturday’s incident marked the second reported attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad since the outbreak of the wider conflict.

Witnesses in the Arasat district of the capital said they heard multiple blasts followed by ambulance sirens and saw smoke rising above residential areas where several Iran-aligned groups maintain offices.

Speaking to state television while marching among demonstrators supporting the Palestinian cause, Larijani said the attacks reflected fear rather than strength.

“These attacks are out of fear, out of desperation. One who is strong wouldn’t bomb demonstrations at all. It’s clear that it has failed,” Larijani said.

Larijani’s presence at the rally marked one of the highest-profile appearances by an Iranian official since a Feb. 28 strike that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with other senior officials, according to Iranian authorities.

Footage broadcast by Iranian state television showed large crowds gathering in Tehran for the annual Quds Day event, which is held each year to express support for Palestinians.

Also present at the rally was Ahmad-Reza Radan, Iran’s national police chief, according to images aired by state media.

Iranian media reported that a woman was killed after a U.S.-Israeli airstrike struck the vicinity of the demonstration on Friday.

The strike occurred near the location of the rally in the Iranian capital, although further details about the circumstances were not immediately available.

The demonstration took place amid ongoing hostilities involving Iran, Israel and the United States, with repeated air strikes and missile attacks reported across the region.

Public events such as the Quds Day march have historically been used by Iranian officials to express political positions on regional conflicts, particularly the Palestinian issue.

The Israeli military said it struck the Zrarieh Bridge spanning the Litani River early on Friday, asserting that the crossing was being used by Hezbollah fighters to move between northern and southern parts of Lebanon.

The military did not provide evidence for the claim.The strike appeared to be the first instance in the current conflict in which Israel publicly acknowledged targeting civilian infrastructure in Lebanon.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Lebanon would face increasing consequences unless Hezbollah was disarmed.

“The Lebanese government will pay increasing costs through damage to infrastructure and loss of territory,” Katz told senior military officers during a briefing, according to a statement from his office.

Israeli troops have been pushing deeper into southern Lebanon as part of the military campaign, while air strikes have continued to hit districts in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Lebanese officials say the expanding conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of people across the country.

Lebanon’s interior minister said authorities were struggling to accommodate the influx of civilians seeking refuge in Beirut, where many displaced residents have gathered after fleeing combat zones in the south.

The minister said government resources were insufficient to manage the scale of displacement, with large numbers of people arriving in the capital in recent days.

Lebanese authorities estimate that around 800,000 people have been forced from their homes since the fighting intensified.

Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, said the Lebanese population had been drawn into a broader regional conflict.

Speaking about the humanitarian impact of the fighting, Guterres said the Lebanese people had been “dragged into” the war as hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah expanded.

The escalation in Lebanon is unfolding as the wider regional conflict continues to intensify, raising concerns among international officials about the growing humanitarian and security consequences across the Middle East.