Israel pounds Tehran as Middle East conflict rages on

Israel has launched a fresh wave of airstrikes on Iran’s capital, Tehran, intensifying a conflict that is now entering its fourth week and spreading across the Middle East.

The latest bombardment comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Iran was being “decimated,” claiming the war had significantly weakened Tehran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.

“We are winning and Iran is being decimated,” he said.Despite the sustained strikes, Iran has continued retaliatory attacks, targeting Israel and key Gulf energy infrastructure, raising fears of a broader regional crisis and global supply disruptions.

Explosions were reported over Jerusalem, while missile and drone attacks hit or threatened facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

The conflict has also spilled into Lebanon, where Israeli strikes and exchanges with Hezbollah have pushed the death toll past 1,000, according to Lebanese authorities. Calls for a ceasefire have intensified, with diplomatic efforts ongoing but no breakthrough in sight.

Tensions escalated further after Iranian strikes hit major gas infrastructure in Qatar, compounding fears of energy shortages. Crude oil prices have surged toward $100 per barrel, while gas markets remain volatile amid uncertainty over supply routes.

Iran has warned it would show “zero restraint” if further attacks target its energy assets, having already disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil and gas.

While Netanyahu suggested the war could end sooner than expected, global leaders remain cautious, warning that the conflict’s trajectory remains uncertain, with no clear timeline for de-escalation.