Mideast war widens as US strikes Iran, Egypt port hit by drone

A drone strike targeting gas vessels at Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Damietta heightened concerns Thursday about a broadening U.S.-Iran conflict and possible disruptions to shipping through the Suez Canal. The Egyptian government confirmed that an unidentified drone caused fires on two vessels at the port, located near the critical waterway connecting the Mediterranean with the Red Sea. Officials stated they were taking steps to safeguard national security, though no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident occurred as the U.S. military announced it had conducted airstrikes against Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ military command centers and drone facilities following attacks by Iranian forces on U.S. troops in the region. According to Iranian state media, the strikes resulted in three civilian deaths and two children being injured on Qeshm Island, while three members of the Revolutionary Guards were killed in Zanjan province. The governor of Khuzestan province added that two student dormitory buildings in the city of Ahvaz were damaged during the attacks. In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed it had targeted the U.S.-operated Azraq base in Jordan. Earlier statements from the Guards, published via state media, warned that “with the help of God, the aggressor will be punished today.” The Pentagon has yet to confirm whether the Azraq base suffered damage from these retaliatory actions. U.S. military installations in Jordan have increasingly been under threat from Iran. On Thursday, Jordan’s armed forces reported intercepting five Iranian missiles. Meanwhile, an Iranian missile strike hit a facility belonging to a Chinese company in northern Kuwait, resulting in one fatality and substantial property damage, according to the Kuwaiti Defense Ministry. Saudi Arabia made a notable move by joining U.S. air strikes against Iran-aligned groups in eastern Iraq, marking the first time the kingdom has participated directly in such operations. This came in response to drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure originating from Iraq. Following the coordinated attacks, Saudi Arabia’s defense minister held discussions with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Washington, urging the Trump administration to avoid further escalation of the conflict, according to sources close to the situation. The current conflict traces back to February when the United States and Israel initiated a bombing campaign in Iran, a campaign President Donald Trump initially described as limited in duration. A temporary ceasefire reached in June unraveled due to renewed hostilities centered around the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime passage that Iran asserts it now controls. Recent developments, including the latest strikes in Iraq and Egypt, pose a risk of drawing additional Middle Eastern nations into the fray. This follows the declaration by Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, potentially affecting the Red Sea route used for transporting Saudi oil to Asia. The ongoing attacks on vessels by Houthi militants led London’s marine insurance sector to expand its definition of high-risk areas in the Red Sea to encompass more of the coastline near Saudi Arabian ports. Despite Trump’s pledge to retaliate strongly against Iran for launching missiles at U.S. forces, the administration continues to seek a diplomatic resolution to a conflict that has significantly impacted global energy and financial markets. Oil prices surged over 8% on Wednesday before slightly declining by 1% on Thursday, with benchmark Brent crude trading just below the $90 mark. Iran asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, stating it had attacked three tankers attempting to navigate through the waterway using unauthorized routes. Nevertheless, a liquefied natural gas tanker operated by QatarEnergy successfully passed through the strait overnight, the first such vessel recorded doing so since July 11. Iran’s semi-official news agency Fars indicated that Tehran had granted permission for the tanker to proceed. Oman has reportedly offered assistance in mediating the situation.