The Iran-Israel war escalated further on Friday, with fresh attacks hitting energy infrastructure and raising pressure on shipping routes across the Gulf.
Iranian strikes damaged essential infrastructure at Israel’s Haifa refinery complex, although most production facilities remained operational. Kuwait also said Iran struck the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery again, causing fires at operational units.
The latest escalation followed Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field and the Asaluyeh processing hub, a major development because South Pars supplies most of Iran’s domestic gas. The attack pushed the conflict deeper into the energy sector and increased concern over regional supply disruption.
Shipping risks also worsened. The International Maritime Organization has called for a safe corridor to evacuate seafarers stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that nearly 2,000 commercial vessels and about 20,000 crew members face growing danger in the area.
The wider pattern is clear. The war is no longer limited to direct exchanges between Iran and Israel. It is now affecting refineries, gas facilities, maritime trade routes and broader regional energy security.
