The conflict in the Middle East has widened after an explosion and fire were reported at Egypt’s Damietta natural gas port following a suspected drone strike on Wednesday. Egyptian authorities have not announced any military response to the incident.
According to international media reports, the same day also saw U.S. and Saudi Arabian forces carry out joint airstrikes against Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq. Iran later acknowledged launching attacks targeting a U.S. military base in Jordan and vessels in the Strait of Hormuz in what it described as a retaliatory response.
British maritime security firm Ambrey said a drone struck a vessel at Damietta Port, triggering a fire that spread to a nearby ship. All crew members were safely evacuated, and firefighters later brought the blaze under control. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Meanwhile, the United States and Saudi Arabia said their strikes targeted positions belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an Iran-backed armed coalition in Iraq. The operation was described as retaliation for drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory against Saudi oil facilities. The PMF claimed at least 20 people were killed and 32 others injured in the strikes.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Washington would respond forcefully if attacks on American troops continued.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, meanwhile, urged the Iranian public to remain united against what he described as external aggression, saying the country would not yield to pressure.
In a separate development, Reuters reported that Yemen’s Houthi movement is considering imposing transit fees on commercial vessels sailing through the southern Red Sea. However, no timeline has been announced for implementing the proposal.
The escalating tensions have also affected global energy markets. Brent crude oil prices rose by more than 7%, climbing above $90 per barrel, marking one of the sharpest increases in recent months.
Separately, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a telephone conversation to discuss the situations in Gaza and the West Bank. They expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence and called for an immediate ceasefire, expanded humanitarian assistance, and adherence to international law.
