Israel and Iran exchanged fire early Wednesday, with Tehran maintaining pressure on the region's oil industry by attacking a ship in the Strait of Hormuz and targeting infrastructure, raising concerns about a global energy crisis.
Iran has effectively halted maritime traffic through the narrow strait off its coast, through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes from the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. It has also been attacking oil fields and refineries in Arab nations in the region as part of a strategy aimed at causing enough global economic damage to pressure the United States and Israel to end their attacks.
A cargo ship was hit by a projectile of unknown origin in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire on board and leading the crew to evacuate the vessel and seek assistance.
Iran claimed early Wednesday to have launched its "most intense and heavy" operation since the start of the war, with interceptions reported in several Gulf countries and Israel.
Additionally, Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Jamenei, is "safe and sound," according to the son of the Iranian president.
A dead in a drone attack against an Iranian opposition faction in Iraqi Kurdistan
A fighter from an armed faction of the Iranian Kurdish opposition, based in Iraqi Kurdistan, died on Wednesday in a drone attack targeting their position in the northern mountains of the country.
The attack, attributed to Iran, involved eight drones targeting the Komala position in the Zrgwezala region, about five kilometers southeast of Suleimaniya.
The attack also left two wounded, one of whom was taken to a hospital in Suleimaniya.
Israel believes the new Supreme Leader of Iran was injured in the attacks
Israel's intelligence assessment is that Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Jamenei, was lightly injured in the joint Israeli and U.S. aerial war against Iran, which is why he has not been seen in public, according to a senior Israeli official.
Iran targets banks
Iran's joint military command states that banks and financial institutions are now targets in the Middle East. The Iranian army said on Wednesday that it will now target economic objectives of the United States and Israel in the region, following attacks on an Iranian bank during the night.
The Iranian army's operational headquarters, Khatam Al Anbiya, stated that the enemy has given them free rein to attack economic centers and banks belonging to the United States and the Zionist regime.
Von der Leyen says the EU "will always respect international law"
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated on Wednesday that the European Union "will always defend" the principles of the United Nations and international law, emphasizing that the EU was founded as a peace project.
The son of the Iranian president denies that the new Supreme Leader was injured
The advisor and son of the Iranian president, Yusef Pezeshkian, denied on Wednesday speculations that the new Supreme Leader of the country, Mojtaba Jamenei, was injured, stating that "he is fine."
Israel attacks a residential building in Beirut, the second action within the capital
Israel bombed a residential building in a central neighborhood of Beirut on Wednesday, in its second attack within the capital, following the deaths of four alleged Iranian commanders in a hotel on the city's waterfront three days ago.
The attack targeted an apartment in a building in the Aisha Bakkar area, causing walls to collapse in the targeted floor as well as in the floors above and below.
Two drones fall near Dubai airport, leaving four injured
Two drones fell near Dubai International Airport on Wednesday, leaving four people injured, according to Dubai's media office.
Air traffic is operating normally.
G7 supports IEA measures, including the use of strategic oil reserves
The G7 members support the International Energy Agency (IEA) adopting "proactive measures" to address the energy market situation, where oil and gas prices have soared, including the use of strategic reserves.
The seven wealthiest countries in the world are willing to take all necessary measures in coordination with IEA members.
Israel claims to have completed a new wave of attacks on Beirut suburbs
The Israeli army stated on Wednesday that it has completed a "new wave of attacks" on Dahye, a suburb south of Beirut, a historic stronghold of the Shiite militia Hezbollah.
China says the war against Iran "should not have happened" and calls for a return to dialogue
The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Wednesday regarding the war in Iran and the rest of the Middle East that the way to break the current deadlock is to return to dialogue and negotiations and strive to restore peace.
China reiterated that the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected and stated that Beijing "does not support attacks against Gulf countries" and condemns indiscriminate actions against civilians and non-military targets.
A Sri Lankan court orders the bodies of 84 Iranian sailors to be handed over to the Iranian embassy
A Sri Lankan court has ordered that the bodies of 84 sailors killed in an attack on an Iranian warship off the country's coast last week be handed over to the Iranian embassy.
The bodies are currently in the morgue of the National Hospital of Galle.
The Iranian regime acknowledges that Motjaba Jamenei was injured during the attack in which his father died
The new Iranian Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Jamenei, is "safe and sound" despite his injuries, according to the son of the Iranian president.
The return of war with a new conflict prompts unusual criticism of Hezbollah in Lebanon
A Lebanese mother of two had just woken up to prepare food before dawn, prior to another day of fasting during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, when Israeli warplanes began attacking southern Lebanon in retaliation for rockets and drones launched by Hezbollah.
The family quickly packed up and headed to Beirut in search of safety amid another deadly war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Iran says it has launched its "most intense" operation as Israel strikes Tehran with new attacks
Iran claimed early Wednesday to have launched its "most intense and heavy" operation since the start of the war, while separate reports indicated a drone allegedly hit a U.S. diplomatic facility in Iraq.
Possible release of strategic oil reserves
The International Energy Agency (IEA) proposes the largest release of oil reserves in its history to reduce crude prices, which have surged due to the war between the United States and Israel against Iran.
The proposal was made at an emergency meeting of energy officials from the 32 IEA member countries, with a decision expected on Wednesday.
Iran attacks Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait
The Qatari Ministry of Defense reported on Wednesday that it intercepted an unspecified number of missiles following Iranian airstrikes against Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait.
Explosions were heard in Doha, the capital of Qatar, with the Interior Ministry warning of a high security threat level.
New Israeli attacks in Lebanon
An Israeli attack hit the center of Beirut on Wednesday for the second time since the start of the war, according to Lebanon's state news agency.
Iran maintains pressure on oil infrastructure amid fears of a global energy crisis
Iran continues to pressure the region's oil industry by attacking a ship in the Strait of Hormuz and targeting infrastructure, raising concerns about a global energy crisis.