Middle East crisis deepens as Iran retaliates, Saudi refinery hit

By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman

Fresh hostilities have erupted across the Middle East following an escalation between the United States and Israel on one hand, and Iran on the other, with missile and drone strikes reported in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon and Cyprus.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia confirmed that a fire broke out at an oil refinery after it was struck in the latest wave of Iranian attacks.

Officials said the blaze had been brought “under control,” adding that emergency response teams were working to secure the facility and prevent further damage.

Details of casualties and the impact on oil production were not immediately disclosed as at press time.

The renewed attacks followed a joint military operation by the United States and Israel on Saturday which reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The development marked a major turning point in the long-running standoffs between Tehran and its adversaries.

The Israeli military later announced fresh strikes on Tehran, describing the operation as part of efforts to neutralise strategic military targets.

In a joint statement, Gulf states and the United States condemned Iran’s response, characterising the missile and drone attacks as “indiscriminate and reckless.”

The statement accused Tehran of endangering civilian lives and critical infrastructure across the region.

Inside Iran, authorities reportedly warned residents against taking to the streets in protest amid heightened crises.

Citizen FM observes that security presence has been reinforced in major cities as the government moves to maintain order following the killing of the Supreme Leader.

Meanwhile, in Kuwait, several United States fighter jets crashed in what the US military described as “an apparent friendly fire incident.”

Footage circulating online showed one of the aircraft plunging to the ground.

The Pentagon said investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident and clarify whether there were casualties.

In Lebanon, the health ministry said Israeli air strikes on Beirut and parts of southern Lebanon killed at least 31 people.

Israel maintained that the strikes were in response to attacks by Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group operating in the area.

Further west, authorities in Cyprus confirmed that two drones heading towards a United Kingdom military base were intercepted.

The development followed what officials described as an earlier attempted attack on Sunday.