The Guards said in a statement published on their official Sepah News website that Netanyahu would remain a target of Iran’s forces, accusing him of responsibility for the deaths of civilians amid the ongoing conflict.

“If this child-killing criminal is alive, we will continue to pursue and kill him with full force,” the IRGC said, referring to the Israeli premier.

The statement reflects a sharp escalation in language from Iran’s elite military force as the confrontation involving Iran, Israel and the United States widens. Iranian officials have repeatedly accused Israel of attacks against Iranian interests and leadership figures, while Israel says it is acting to neutralize threats posed by Tehran and its regional allies.

.The IRGC, which answers directly to Iran’s Supreme Leader and wields significant influence over the country’s military operations abroad, has often issued warnings against Israeli leadership during periods of heightened tensions.

The threat comes as the conflict between Israel and Iran-backed forces has expanded beyond their borders, drawing in the United States and affecting multiple countries across the Middle East.

Regional tensions have surged following a series of strikes and counter-strikes involving Israeli forces, Iranian military assets and allied groups.

Governments and international organizations have warned that the conflict risks further destabilizing an already volatile region.

Netanyahu has been a central figure in Israel’s security policy toward Iran, repeatedly warning about Tehran’s military capabilities and its support for armed groups across the Middle East.

Iranian leaders, in turn, have blamed Israel for attacks on Iranian personnel and infrastructure, including alleged covert operations targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities.

Trump said U.S. strikes had already “totally demolished” much of the island’s infrastructure and signaled the possibility of additional attacks, telling NBC News on Saturday that Washington could “hit it a few more times just for fun.”

The remarks marked a sharp escalation from earlier statements by the administration that had framed operations as limited to military facilities on the island.

Kharg Island is Iran’s primary oil export terminal and a critical node in global energy markets. Any prolonged disruption to its facilities risks tightening global crude supply at a time when energy prices are already climbing sharply due to the conflict.

The fighting has heightened concerns over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow maritime corridor through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes. Tehran has long maintained the capability to disrupt shipping in the waterway, a scenario that analysts say could amplify volatility in global energy markets.

Trump called on countries that rely on oil shipments through the strait to take a more active role in securing it. In a social media post on Saturday, he said nations receiving oil through the passage “must take care of that passage,” adding that the United States would coordinate with them to ensure maritime transit remained secure.

The push for allied naval deployments comes as oil markets face what industry observers have described as the largest disruption to global supply flows in modern history, according to recent market assessments cited by Reuters.

The war launched on Feb. 28 by Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expanded beyond direct strikes on Iranian targets. Missile and drone attacks continued across the region on Sunday, underscoring the conflict’s widening geographic scope.

Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 10 drones over Riyadh and eastern regions of the kingdom, according to the Saudi defense ministry. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards denied involvement in the attacks, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

A separate drone strike disrupted a major energy hub in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, while Washington advised American citizens to leave Iraq amid rising security risks.

Despite signs that Tehran may be open to negotiations, prospects for a diplomatic resolution remain uncertain. Trump said Iran appeared willing to consider a deal to end the conflict but added that “the terms aren’t good enough yet.

”At the same time, three sources told Reuters that the U.S. administration had rejected attempts by Middle Eastern allies to initiate talks, a move that has complicated diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting.

More than 2,000 people have been killed since the conflict began, most of them in Iran, according to figures reported by governments and state media. In one of the latest incidents, an airstrike struck a refrigerator and heater factory in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, killing at least 15 people, the Fars news agency reported.

An AFP journalist reported hearing explosions followed by the sight of black smoke rising above the diplomatic complex in central Baghdad shortly after the blasts. Two security officials said the embassy compound was hit, although the precise cause remained unclear.

One security source said a drone had struck the complex, while another said a projectile believed to be a rocket had fallen within the diplomatic zone near the embassy’s air base. The U.S. embassy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The embassy incident occurred hours after overnight strikes targeted positions linked to Kataeb Hezbollah, a powerful militia group aligned with Iran. According to security sources, a missile struck a house used by the group at around 02:15 a.m. local time, killing what officials described as a “key figure” and wounding two other members.

Roughly two hours later, another airstrike hit a vehicle in eastern Baghdad, killing a member of the Popular Mobilization Forces, also known as Hashed al-Shaabi. A senior official within the organization told AFP the individual belonged to Kataeb Hezbollah.None of the sources identified who carried out the strikes, and the militia group has not publicly commented.

Iraq has long been an arena for rivalry between Washington and Tehran, with armed groups aligned with Iran maintaining a strong presence across the country. The situation has intensified since U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran on Feb.

28 triggered a broader regional conflict.Several Iran-backed factions operate under an umbrella movement known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. The groups have claimed responsibility for repeated drone and rocket attacks targeting U.S. military facilities across the region.

Saturday’s incident marked the second reported attack on the U.S. embassy in Baghdad since the outbreak of the wider conflict.

Witnesses in the Arasat district of the capital said they heard multiple blasts followed by ambulance sirens and saw smoke rising above residential areas where several Iran-aligned groups maintain offices.

The offer targets 10 officials associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a powerful military force created after the Iranian Revolution and tasked with safeguarding Iran’s clerical political system. The State Department said the individuals command or direct elements of the IRGC that it accuses of planning and executing attacks abroad.

Mojtaba Khamenei assumed Iran’s highest political and religious office after his father, Ali Khamenei, was killed along with several senior Iranian officials in joint U.S. and Israeli strikes that began on Feb. 28.

The younger Khamenei is believed to have been wounded in the attacks and has not appeared publicly since the start of the conflict, though he issued his first statement on Thursday.

In addition to the supreme leader, the reward notice seeks information about Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani, Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni and two officials from Khamenei’s office.

Larijani appeared on Friday in video footage verified by Reuters alongside Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi during a rally in Tehran.

The appearance came despite comments by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggesting that Iran’s leadership was hiding underground amid ongoing military strikes.

The State Department website also lists four additional officials connected to the IRGC, including the corps’ commander and the secretary of Iran’s defense council, though their names and images were not provided.

Washington has designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization and accuses it of orchestrating attacks that have killed U.S. citizens. U.S. officials have also alleged that Iran planned assassination attempts against U.S. President Donald Trump and other American officials in retaliation for the killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in 2020.

Iran denies supporting terrorism and has repeatedly rejected U.S. accusations as politically motivated efforts to justify sanctions and pressure campaigns.Officials from the Revolutionary Guards were not immediately available for comment on Friday, Iran’s weekly day of rest.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The war, which has intensified over the past several weeks, has moved beyond traditional military confrontations and now threatens critical economic lifelines that sustain the global economy.

Attacks on oil infrastructure, commercial shipping routes, and strategic maritime corridors have begun to disrupt international trade and energy markets.
At the center of global concern is the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.

Nearly a fifth of the global oil supply normally passes through the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Any disruption to shipping in this corridor can have immediate and far-reaching effects on energy prices and global economic stability.

Recent days have seen a sharp rise in attacks on merchant vessels and oil tankers moving through the region. Maritime security officials say explosive-laden boats and drones have targeted several ships, forcing many commercial vessels to alter their routes or suspend operations altogether. Shipping companies have grown increasingly cautious, and insurance costs for vessels operating in the Gulf have surged dramatically.

The disruptions have already had a significant impact on energy markets. Oil prices climbed sharply after reports that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had slowed dramatically, with analysts warning that sustained interruptions could push prices far higher.
Governments around the world have begun preparing emergency measures to prevent a broader energy crisis.

Several major economies have discussed releasing oil from their strategic reserves in an attempt to stabilize markets and reassure investors. However, analysts caution that such measures would only provide temporary relief if the conflict continues to escalate.
The military dimension of the crisis is also intensifying. Israeli and American forces have carried out a series of airstrikes targeting Iranian military installations, missile sites, and logistical infrastructure.

The strikes, officials say, were aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities and preventing further attacks on regional allies and international shipping.
Iran has responded with a mix of conventional and asymmetric tactics.

Iranian forces and allied groups have launched missile and drone strikes against military positions and strategic infrastructure across the region. Some attacks have targeted energy facilities, including refineries and storage installations, further amplifying fears of a broader supply disruption.

The conflict has also raised concerns about the potential involvement of additional regional actors. Neighboring countries across the Middle East are closely monitoring the situation, wary that the fighting could spill across borders or provoke retaliatory actions that would widen the war.

Beyond the military and economic consequences, the conflict is already producing serious humanitarian impacts. Airstrikes and missile attacks have caused significant damage to urban infrastructure in several areas, forcing civilians to flee their homes in search of safety. Hospitals and emergency services are struggling to cope with the growing number of casualties.

International organizations have warned that continued escalation could produce a large-scale humanitarian crisis, particularly if critical infrastructure such as power plants, water systems, and hospitals becomes further damaged.

The war is also intensifying geopolitical tensions between major global powers. Governments in Europe and Asia are increasingly concerned about the impact of rising energy prices and potential supply shortages. Several countries have called for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict before it spreads further.
Despite these appeals, diplomatic progress has been limited.

Deep political divisions between the parties involved, combined with the strategic importance of the region, have made negotiations extremely difficult.
Analysts say the conflict reflects broader shifts in the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape. Long-standing rivalries, unresolved political disputes, and competing security interests have created a volatile environment where even small incidents can escalate rapidly into wider confrontations.

The economic implications extend far beyond the Middle East. Energy-importing nations are particularly vulnerable to prolonged disruptions in Gulf oil supplies. Higher fuel costs can quickly translate into rising inflation, increased transportation expenses, and higher prices for goods and services around the world.

Financial markets have already begun reacting to the uncertainty. Investors are closely watching developments in the region, and volatility in oil prices has spread to stock markets and currency exchanges.
Some economists warn that a prolonged conflict could contribute to a global economic slowdown, particularly if energy prices remain elevated for an extended period.

High oil prices have historically been associated with economic downturns, as they increase production costs and reduce consumer spending power.

The aviation and shipping industries are also facing growing challenges. Airlines have begun adjusting flight routes to avoid potential conflict zones, while shipping companies are reassessing the risks of operating in the Gulf region. These adjustments increase operating costs and could disrupt global supply chains.

Despite the mounting tensions, some analysts believe the conflict may eventually stabilize if both sides seek to avoid a full-scale regional war. However, they caution that the situation remains highly unpredictable.

Much will depend on whether diplomatic efforts can gain momentum and whether regional actors choose to exercise restraint. Even small miscalculations could trigger further escalation, potentially drawing additional countries into the conflict.

For now, the war between Iran, Israel, and the United States stands as one of the most serious geopolitical crises in recent years. Its outcome will not only shape the future of the Middle East but could also influence global economic stability for years to come.

The latest attacks followed one of the heaviest rounds of strikes on Tuesday, with combatants targeting sites in Israel, Lebanon and parts of the Gulf, according to reports from the region.

Missile barrages forced millions of Israelis to seek shelter as air defense systems responded to incoming attacks.

Military exchanges intensified overnight into Wednesday as opposing forces carried out additional strikes across regional targets. The conflict, which pits the United States and Israel against Iran and its allied networks, has increasingly spread beyond initial fronts, drawing in locations across the eastern Mediterranean and Gulf region.

Iran’s leadership signaled growing concern about domestic unrest as the war continues. State authorities warned that security forces were prepared to confront any attempts to revive anti-government protests while the country faces external military pressure.

The conflict has effectively blocked shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s fossil fuel supplies normally transit. The disruption raised immediate concerns over global energy security and triggered a sharp spike in oil prices earlier this week.

Crude markets surged on Monday before retreating as traders assessed the likelihood of diplomatic intervention. Investors have increasingly speculated that U.S. President Donald Trump may push for steps to de-escalate the conflict.

In a move aimed at calming volatile energy markets, the International Energy Agency has proposed the largest coordinated release of oil reserves in its history, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal citing officials familiar with the plan. Reuters was not immediately able to independently verify the report.

The proposed release would add additional supply to global markets at a time when energy flows from the Gulf have been disrupted, easing pressure on prices and helping stabilize financial markets that reacted sharply to the outbreak of hostilities earlier in the week.

.The message was conveyed to Tehran ahead of remarks on Saturday by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who apologised to Gulf states for recent Iranian actions that have heightened regional tensions.Two days earlier, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and outlined Riyadh’s position, according to the sources. Saudi Arabia said it favours a diplomatic settlement to Iran’s conflict with the United States but warned that further attacks on Saudi territory or energy facilities could compel the kingdom to respond.The sources said Prince Faisal stressed that Riyadh remained open to mediation efforts aimed at de-escalation and a negotiated resolution to the crisis. He also underlined that neither Saudi Arabia nor other Gulf states had allowed the United States to use their airspace or territory to conduct strikes on Iran.However, the minister cautioned that if Iranian strikes continued against Saudi territory or critical energy infrastructure, Riyadh could permit U.S. forces to use their bases for operations and would consider retaliatory measures.Saudi and Iranian foreign ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The warning comes amid heightened regional tensions following drone and missile strikes launched by Iran against several Gulf states over the past week.Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain have all been targeted by attacks linked to Tehran, according to the sources. The strikes followed the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the first day of the war that erupted after U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran.Iran responded by launching attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab states that host U.S. military facilities, while Israel has also targeted Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah armed group as part of the expanding conflict.

Despite the escalating violence, diplomatic channels between Riyadh and Tehran remain open. The sources said Saudi Arabia has maintained regular contact with Iranian officials through its ambassador since the U.S. and Israeli campaign against Iran began on Feb. 28 following the collapse of negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme.Araqchi said in an interview on Saturday that he had remained in constant communication with Prince Faisal and other Saudi officials. He said Riyadh had assured Tehran it would not allow its territory, waters or airspace to be used for attacks on Iran.In his remarks, Pezeshkian said Iran’s temporary leadership council had approved a suspension of attacks on neighbouring countries unless those states were used as a launch point for strikes against Iran.The apology appeared aimed at easing tensions with Gulf governments concerned about the risk of the conflict spreading further across the region and threatening energy infrastructure and shipping routes.The exchanges highlight the delicate position faced by Gulf states seeking to avoid deeper involvement in the conflict while balancing security ties with Washington and growing regional instability.