Tensions across West Asia have intensified sharply as the ongoing conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States continues to disrupt regional stability and global energy markets. Several major oil-producing Gulf nations have already reduced their output amid rising security concerns, while fresh attacks and strong rhetoric from political leaders suggest the conflict could escalate further before any resolution is reached.
According to reports, the United Arab Emirates has reduced its oil production by roughly 500,000 to 800,000 barrels per day, while Kuwait has cut around 500,000 barrels daily. Iraq has seen the most significant reduction, with output dropping by approximately 2.9 million barrels a day. These cuts have heightened fears of supply disruptions in global energy markets as the war threatens critical oil infrastructure across the region.
Meanwhile, Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister of Iran, stated on Tuesday that Tehran is prepared to continue its attacks for as long as necessary and ruled out negotiations with the United States. In an interview with US broadcaster PBS, Araghchi said Iran would maintain its missile and drone strikes and confirmed that diplomatic talks with Washington were no longer under consideration.
Early Tuesday, Iran launched drones toward Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, raising alarm across the Gulf. Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry reported that two drones were intercepted and destroyed over the kingdom’s oil-rich eastern region. In Kuwait, the National Guard announced that six drones targeting the country’s northern and southern areas were successfully shot down.
These attacks on neighbouring Gulf states come as Donald Trump sends mixed signals about the likely duration of the conflict. While warning Iran of severe consequences if global oil supplies are disrupted, the US president also suggested that the war could end “very soon.” The uncertainty has caused sharp fluctuations in global oil prices and increased volatility in international markets.
Iran’s military leadership has adopted a defiant stance. The powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it would “determine the end of the war” and warned that Tehran would not allow “one litre of oil” to be exported from the region if attacks by the United States and Israel continue. The statement reflects Iran’s willingness to target energy infrastructure and shipping routes if the conflict escalates further.
President Trump has also indicated plans to waive certain oil-related sanctions and deploy the US Navy to escort tankers passing through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime oil routes. In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump warned that if Iran attempted to block the flow of oil through the strait, the United States would respond with overwhelming force. At the same time, he expressed hope that such a scenario could be avoided.
Trump also revealed that he discussed the conflict during a phone call with Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia. According to Trump, both leaders talked about the possibility of a “quick settlement” to the war. The call comes as Moscow pledged unwavering support to Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei.
On the battlefield, the conflict continues to expand. Iran has launched fresh strikes on energy installations across the Gulf region, including a petroleum complex in Bahrain. The sprawling Al Ma’ameer oil facility was reportedly hit, triggering a large fire and causing significant damage. The state-owned energy company Bapco declared force majeure after the attack, becoming the latest Gulf producer forced to suspend or limit operations due to the war.
At the same time, Israel intensified its military campaign against Iran. The Israeli military said it carried out a wave of broad strikes against what it described as “terror targets” in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Journalists reported hearing fighter jets overhead followed by a powerful explosion in the city, marking the second major strike on Tehran in a single day.
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