Dubai: There was little sign the war in West Asia was winding down on Friday as Iran said eight people were killed while celebrating the close of the Persian New Year near a major bridge struck by a US attack.
Iran decried the strike on its tallest bridge, saying 95 people were injured during Nowruz Day outdoor celebrations. “Striking civilian infrastructure only conveys the defeat and moral collapse of an enemy in disarray,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Israel reported incoming fire from Iran, and Kuwait and Bahrain said they were under attack. Tehran continued to show its ability to strike neighbouring states even as US President Donald Trump claimed the threat from Iran was nearly eliminated and celebrated the bridge’s collapse, reportedly the tallest in the Middle East.
Iran’s attacks on Gulf states and its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted global energy supplies well beyond the region — a strategic advantage for Tehran during the conflict. Britain convened a call with nearly three dozen countries to discuss reopening the strait once fighting subsides. Trump has urged oil-dependent countries to “build some delayed courage” and “go take it,” saying the US need not be the only actor to secure the waterway. Before US and Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28, about 20% of traded oil passed through the strait; traffic has since fallen sharply.
Death toll keeps rising
More than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran during the war, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel. More than two dozen deaths have been recorded in Gulf states and the occupied West Bank, and 13 US service members have been killed. Lebanon has seen over 1,300 killed and more than 1 million displaced amid an Israeli ground invasion against the Iran-aligned Hezbollah; ten Israeli soldiers have died there.
Kuwait says Iranian attack damaged desalination plant
Kuwait reported that an Iranian attack damaged a desalination plant after drones struck an oil refinery on Friday morning, causing “material damage to some of the plant’s components,” the government said without elaboration.
Diplomacy and ceasefire proposals
The US has presented Iran with a 15-point ceasefire plan that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, but there were no signs of progress. Iran has repeatedly noted that US attacks preceded past negotiations, including actions that helped trigger this war.
UN Security Council to take up Strait of Hormuz security
The UN Security Council was expected to vote Saturday on a Bahraini proposal to authorize defensive action ensuring safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Bahrain’s draft initially allowed countries to “use all necessary means” to secure the strait, but Russia, China and France — all permanent members with veto power — expressed opposition to approving the use of force.
Iran launches missiles at Israel and Gulf states
On Friday, Iran fired missiles at Israel and some Gulf nations, igniting a refinery in Kuwait. Explosions were also heard around Tehran and Isfahan as the US moved to further reinforce military forces in the Middle East. Israel, Bahrain and Kuwait warned of incoming missile fire, though it was unclear what, if anything, was struck. Activists reported strikes near Tehran and Isfahan, but details were unconfirmed.
Drones hit Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi refinery
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said drones struck the Mina al-Ahmadi refinery early Friday, igniting fires at operating units; no injuries were reported.
US vows to target more Iranian infrastructure
President Trump said the US “hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran,” promising tougher strikes on Iranian infrastructure. “Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants,” he wrote on social media, saying Iran’s leadership “knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!”
Iran proposes monitoring the Strait of Hormuz with Oman
Iran said it was drafting a proposal with Oman to “monitor” the Strait of Hormuz to “facilitate and ensure safe passage and provide better services to ships.” Oman had not immediately acknowledged the claim. The strait runs through Iranian and Omani waters but is considered an international waterway.
Nearly three dozen nations discuss securing the Strait of Hormuz
Iranian attacks on roughly two dozen commercial ships and the threat of further strikes have halted much traffic through the strait. Since March 1, traffic has dropped 94% compared with the same period last year, Lloyd’s List Intelligence reported. Two ships are confirmed to have paid fees for passage, while others have been allowed through under agreements with their governments.
No sign of war winding down
There was scant evidence the fighting in the Middle East is easing. Israel reported facing incoming fire from Iran, Kuwait and Bahrain said they were under attack, and Iran reported casualties from the US strike on a bridge during Nowruz celebrations. Iran’s foreign minister reiterated that striking civilian infrastructure signals an enemy’s moral collapse.
