Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Iran on Friday, driving energy prices higher and adding to existing geopolitical tensions. The attacks killed at least three senior Iranian military leaders, including the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, the Commander of the IRGC, and the Commander of Iran’s Emergency Command, according to Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Effie Defrin. Iran responded by launching more than 100 drones toward Israeli territory, sparking fears of a wider conflict in the region critical to global oil supplies.
Rocket sirens sounded in northern Jordan, with state media reporting that several Iranian drones were intercepted in Jordanian airspace. The Israeli strikes, reportedly targeting nuclear enrichment facilities, came just days before scheduled U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the strikes as “very successful” in televised remarks, warning that Israelis might need to spend “far longer periods in shelters than we were accustomed to until now.”
The U.S. State Department stated it was not involved in Israel’s strikes, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the actions unilateral and urged Iran not to target U.S. interests or personnel.
Conflict impacts global energy prices
Iran’s Foreign Ministry warned that it would hold Washington responsible for the consequences. Oil prices surged as much as 13% before settling, with global benchmark oil surpassing $78 a barrel.
Asian and European stocks tumbled amid fears of broader conflict, which could disrupt oil supplies. Regional analysts believe this could be the start of a rapid escalation. Firas Maksad, Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa practice at Eurasia Group, said, “This is probably still the opening salvo.”
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed a severe response to Israel’s attacks on social media platform X, saying, “The [Zionist] regime should anticipate a severe punishment.
By God’s grace, the powerful arm of the Islamic Republic’s Armed Forces won’t let them go unpunished.”
It remains uncertain how Iran will deploy its ballistic missiles and network of regional proxies in retaliation. A fresh round of U.S.-Iran nuclear deal negotiations was scheduled for Sunday in Oman, but Iranian officials have reportedly decided not to attend following the strikes.
