The Middle East conflict spiraled into a direct threat against the global economy this week after Iran launched attacks targeting major international infrastructure and commercial shipping lanes, while warning the world to brace for $200-per-barrel oil if the war continues.
Iranian drones reportedly struck areas near Dubai International Airport, the busiest hub for international travel, injuring several people and sending shockwaves through the global aviation sector.
According to an AP report:
On Thursday, an Iranian attack sparked a major fire on Bahrain’s Muharraq Island, home to the island kingdom’s international airport. Authorities urged people to stay indoors and close windows to avoid smoke. The airport has jet fuel tanks, and other tanks in the area serve the kingdom’s oil industry.
Also, an attack on Iraq’s Basra port killed at least one person and forced a halt to operations at all the country’s oil terminals. Farhan al-Fartousi, the director-general of the General Company for Ports of Iraq, said the attack targeted a vessel in a ship-to-ship transfer area at the port on the Persian Gulf. Iraq’s commercial ports remained open, though the oil terminals had been shut, according to his statement carried by the state-run Iraqi News Agency.
[…]
Iran has targeted oil fields and refineries in Gulf Arab nations and effectively stopped cargo traffic through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of all traded oil passes.
BREAKING: Iran Has Struck An Oil Tanker Just Outside The Umm Qasr Port In Southern Iraq.
Iran Is Now Openly Targeting All Middle Eastern Arab States & Their Shipping As A Form Of Terror. pic.twitter.com/F0CKsW7qTp
— John Basham (@JohnBasham) March 11, 2026
Iranian drones reportedly struck areas near Dubai International Airport, the busiest hub for international travel, injuring several people.
At the same time, commercial ships moving through the Persian Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz were attacked or damaged by projectiles and explosive sea drones, marking a dangerous escalation in the war’s maritime front.
TRT World reported:
Three vessels were hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security agencies said on Wednesday, as one of the strikes resulted in a fire onboard a ship and forced most of its crew to evacuate it.
The Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was attacked approximately 11 nautical miles north of Oman, two maritime security sources said.
[…]
Earlier, the Japan-flagged container ship One Majesty had sustained minor damage from an unknown projectile 25 nautical miles (46 km) northwest of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, two maritime security sources said.
Its crew members are safe, and the vessel is sailing towards a safe anchorage, the sources added.
A third vessel, a bulk carrier, was also hit by an unknown projectile approximately 50 miles northwest of Dubai, maritime security firms said.
The projectile had damaged the hull of the Marshall Islands-flagged Star Gwyneth, maritime risk management company Vanguard said, adding that the vessel’s crew were safe.
A vessel attempting to illegally navigate through the Strait of Hormuz came under attack.
Follow: https://t.co/mLGcUTS2ei pic.twitter.com/vhEemmwOyn
— Press TV (@PressTV) March 11, 2026
A spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters issued a stark warning to Washington and its allies regarding energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, PressTV reported.
“We will not allow even a single liter of oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for the benefit of America and its allies,” the spokesman said.
The spokesperson also outlined the broader scope of Iran’s military posture, declaring that any vessel—or oil cargo—linked to the United States, Israel, or what Tehran described as “hostile partners” would be considered a legitimate target for Iran’s armed forces.
Iranian officials argued that the current instability in global oil markets is the result of what Tehran claims are conditions created by the United States and Israel.
“Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel, because the price of oil depends on regional security – and that security has been destabilized,” said Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters.
President Donald Trump previously issued a stark warning to Iran over any attempt to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far.
Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again – Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them – But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!
This is a gift from the United States of America to China, and all of those Nations that heavily use the Hormuz Strait. Hopefully, it is a gesture that will be greatly appreciated.”
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump ordered the release of 172 MILLION barrels of oil from the United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to combat record-high energy prices triggered by the ongoing war with Iran.
The release, one of the largest in American history, will begin next week and will take approximately 120 days to complete, according to Energy Secretary Christopher Wright.
Read more:
President Trump Orders MASSIVE 172 MILLION Barrel Oil Release from Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Crush Energy Prices
The post WAR ON GLOBAL TRADE: Iran Hits Major International Airports, Oil Refineries, and Commercial Ships — Regime Threatens $200 Oil as Gulf Conflict Explodes appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.