This morning Israel launched a major airstrike on Tehran; France, Germany, and the UK threatened to intervene due to Iran’s indiscriminate retaliation.
Israel launches large-scale attack on Tehran
Around 7:00 AM on March 2nd (Vietnam time), the Times of Israel, citing information from the IDF, reported that the Israeli Air Force was conducting a new wave of airstrikes targeting Iranian government-related targets “in the heart of Tehran.”
At the same time, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported explosions in several areas of the capital Tehran.
Asian oil prices surge
Oil prices rose sharply in Asian markets during trading on March 2nd, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following airstrikes by Israel and the US targeting Iran, leading to retaliatory military actions from Tehran.
In early trading, Brent crude oil prices briefly surpassed $80 per barrel, compared to the closing price of $72.87 per barrel at the end of last week, before cooling slightly. Brent crude oil, which serves as a benchmark for other oils on the international market, had risen since last week, prior to the airstrikes that began on February 28th.
The escalating tensions in the Middle East have raised concerns that maritime transport through the Strait of Hormuz, a route carrying approximately 20% of the world’s oil supply, could be disrupted. This strategic shipping lane is not yet completely blocked.
France, Germany, and the UK are ready to act against Iran.
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have just stated that they are ready to defend their interests, as well as the interests of their allies in the Gulf region, if necessary, by taking “defensive action” against Iran.
According to the joint statement, the leaders of the three countries were “horrified by the indiscriminate and disproportionate missile attacks carried out by Iran against countries in the region, including those not involved in the initial military operation by the United States and Israel.”
“We will take steps to protect our interests and those of our allies in the region, possibly by enabling necessary and proportionate defensive action to destroy Iran’s missile and drone launch capabilities at their point of origin,” the statement said.
