Iran Supreme Leader Warns Israel “Will Pay” for Killing Top Iranian Officials
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has warned that Israel will “pay the price” following the killing of several top Iranian officials in recent days.
The latest casualty, Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib, was reportedly assassinated in an Israeli strike, marking the third high-profile killing within just two days, after security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani.
Khamenei described the attacks as “criminal acts” and said those responsible would soon face consequences, signalling a possible escalation in Iran’s military response.
IRGC Threatens Energy Infrastructure Across Gulf
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stark warning, threatening to target key oil and gas facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The threat follows reported strikes on Iran’s South Pars gas field, one of the world’s largest energy hubs.
Authorities in the Gulf region have already heightened security, with reports of evacuations and emergency alerts near major energy installations, raising fears of disruption to global energy supplies.
Explosions, Interceptions and Regional Alerts
Several countries across the Middle East reported heightened military activity. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted drones and ballistic missiles aimed at its territory, while sirens were activated in Bahrain urging residents to seek shelter.
In Qatar, a fire was reported in the Ras Laffan industrial area following what officials described as an Iranian targeting incident. Kuwait also reported multiple cases of falling debris from intercepted missiles over the past 24 hours.
Nuclear Safety Concerns After Strike Near Bushehr
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that a structure located near Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant was hit by a projectile and destroyed. However, the agency said the reactor itself was not damaged and no injuries were reported.
The UN watchdog reiterated concerns over attacks near nuclear facilities, warning that such incidents pose serious risks to safety and must be avoided during conflicts.
Oil Prices Surge Amid Energy Fears
Global oil and gas markets reacted sharply to the escalating conflict. Brent crude prices jumped significantly, while US crude and European gas prices also rose amid concerns over potential disruptions to supply routes and infrastructure in the Gulf region.
The surge followed Iran’s warnings that it could strike energy facilities in neighbouring countries, increasing uncertainty in already volatile markets.
Ongoing Attacks and Rising Civilian Impact
Missile exchanges between Iran and Israel continue, with both sides reporting new waves of attacks. Damage has been reported in central Israel, while Hezbollah and Israeli forces have also intensified cross-border exchanges in Lebanon.
Civilians across the region are facing growing uncertainty, with emergency warnings, evacuations, and disruptions becoming increasingly frequent.
Risk of Broader Regional Conflict
With multiple countries now directly or indirectly affected, fears are mounting that the conflict could expand into a wider regional war.
Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate remain limited, as military actions and retaliatory threats continue to intensify across the Middle East.
