The Middle East has spiralled into a multi-front war as Iran warned it will target Israel’s Dimona nuclear site if the US and Israel continue to pursue illegal regime change. This threat was conveyed as Tehran launched its "19th wave" of attacks, following a week of escalating strikes that have now pulled in Azerbaijan, Qatar, and Sri Lanka.

 

In Tehran, a series of explosions hit the capital and the neighbouring city of Karaj on Thursday. The Israeli military confirmed it is targeting Iranian missile launchers, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) claimed to have struck fuel tanks at Israel’s Ramat David Airbase using Arash attack drones.

 

The maritime conflict has turned lethal. A US submarine sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka, killing at least 87 sailors. A second Iranian warship is now approaching Sri Lankan waters. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the US "perpetrated an atrocity at sea" and warned that Washington will "bitterly regret" the move.

 

The spillover has reached the Caucasus and the Gulf. Azerbaijan’s defence ministry reported Iranian drone strikes on an airport in the Nakhichevan exclave, wounding two people. "These acts of attack will not go unanswered," the ministry said, confirming it is preparing retaliatory measures. Meanwhile, explosions echoed over Doha and Manama as Qatari and Bahraini air defences intercepted incoming missiles. A tanker off the coast of Kuwait was also hit by a large explosion, causing an oil spill.

 

In Washington DC, the US Senate voted 52-47 to block a bipartisan resolution that would have required President Donald Trump to seek congressional authorisation for the military campaign. Trump thanked NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for his support, while Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth urged him to "keep going to the end."

 

The economic fallout is immediate. Oil prices surged over 3 percent, with Brent crude reaching $83.99 per barrel. China has instructed its largest refiners to suspend diesel and gasoline exports as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. Inside Iran, a total internet blackout has exceeded 120 hours, with connectivity at only one percent.

 

The conflict escalated following illegal joint US-Israeli strikes last Saturday, which Iranian media reported resulted in the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Since then, US Central Command reports hitting over 1,250 targets, while the US State Department has urged Americans to leave 15 Middle Eastern countries.