By Desmond Nleya
The war in the Middle East continues to intensify as Donald Trump warned that North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) could face a “very bad future” if member states fail to assist the United States in reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively shut amid the ongoing conflict.
US and Israel forces have continued their bombardment of Iran, striking several major cities including Tehran, Hamadan, and Isfahan. Iranian retaliatory attacks have also intensified, with damage reported in multiple Israeli cities.
The escalating conflict is now spreading across the wider Gulf region. Authorities in Dubai confirmed that a drone-related incident caused a fire near Dubai International Airport, though emergency teams quickly contained the blaze and no injuries were reported.
Elsewhere in the Gulf, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia said their defence systems intercepted incoming drones and missiles as regional tensions continue to rise.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have launched new waves of attacks in southern Lebanon, while massing tanks and troops along the border. Lebanese authorities report that the death toll in the country has climbed to 850 people, including more than 100 children, raising growing international concern over the humanitarian situation.
The conflict shows little sign of slowing, with global markets, shipping routes, and regional security increasingly affected by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a crucial passage through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply normally travels.
