Tensions build as conflict enters its fourth week

As the war in the Middle East enters its fourth week and the Trump administration’s 48-hour ultimatum approaches its expiration date, Iran has expanded its warnings to target US Treasury bond buyers; This was the latest salvo in an escalating exchange of threats.

On a social media to post On Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bager Ghalibaf said that military bases as well as US-linked financial institutions holding American government bonds would also be targeted.

“US treasury bonds are stained with the blood of the Iranians. If you buy them, you are buying an attack on your headquarters and assets,” Ghalibaf said. “Military bases, as well as financial institutions that finance the US military budget, are legitimate targets,” he added in his post.

Increased warning came after the US President Donald Trump On Saturday he issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery of global energy transport, or face strikes on power plants. The term is scheduled to end Monday evening in Washington.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu He swore he would return US threat: “Whatever we do, we do it together and as safely as possible.”

Netanyahu spoke Sunday in the southern city of Arad, the site of the Iranian missile attack. called on world leaders Joining the war effort, including European nations. “They have the capacity to reach deep into Europe… they put everyone in their sights.”

Iran pushed back, threatening to completely block the waterway and attack energy infrastructure and desalination plants in the Gulf if the United States fulfilled its ultimatum.

Ghalibaf warned He said on Sunday that any US or Israeli attack on Iran’s power plants would “immediately” trigger retaliatory attacks on energy and oil infrastructure in the region and cause “irreversible” damage.

“Critical infrastructure and energy and oil infrastructure in the region will be considered legitimate targets and will be irreversibly destroyed, and oil prices will rise for a long time,” Ghalibaf said in his statement on X. he said.

Military clashes continued to intensify over the weekend. reports This suggests that Israel is experiencing intense missile activity, triggering numerous warnings for people to seek refuge in Jerusalem and central Israel. According to Al Jazeera, at least eight locations, mostly in central Israel, were hit by falling debris or explosives.

On Monday, the Israeli army said it had launched an operation. large scale wave Following the attacks targeting Iranian infrastructure in Tehran, explosions were reported in various parts of the capital in the early hours of Monday morning.

Iran continued to fire missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf states hosting US assets. Kuwait and United Arab Emirates It said on Monday that its air defenses had prevented further hostile missile and drone attacks from Iran and air raid sirens were sounding in Bahrain.

Separately, Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry said: detected two ballistic missiles Fire was opened towards the Riyadh area. The ministry spokesman said that one of the bombs was captured and the other fell in a deserted area.

Attacks by Israel and the USA killed at least 1,500 people According to the Iranian health ministry, there are still people living in Iran. But US-based rights group HRANA, The organization, which monitors human rights violations in Iran, recorded that 3,320 people were killed, including 1,406 civilians and 1,167 military personnel.

Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to most ship traffic since the US-Israeli launch of an attack on the country on February 28. The escalating Middle East conflict has caused oil prices to rise in recent weeks amid fears that the oil supply shock will deepen, raising inflation concerns and weighing on growth.

Crude oil prices fell sharply in choppy trading on Monday. Brent crude oil reversed earlier losses, rising 0.44% to $112.68 per barrel as of 10:57 PM EST. US West Texas oil rose by 0.78 percent to $99 per barrel.