Israel-US vs Iran War Day 12: Iran fires fresh missiles, US destroys mine-laying boats near Hormuz; Saudi intercepts drones

The Iran–Israel war entered its 12th day on Wednesday, with the conflict widening across West Asia and spilling into maritime routes and Gulf countries.

Iran launched a fresh barrage of missiles toward Israel, Saudi Arabia said it intercepted multiple missiles and drones, and the United States said it had destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, signalling growing risks to global energy supplies.

The conflict, which began after US-Israeli strikes killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has now expanded to include missile attacks, strikes across Lebanon, threats to shipping routes and mounting military casualties.


Below is a breakdown of the key developments in the war so far.

You can follow our live coverage of the West Asia war here

Iran launches fresh missile attacks on Israel

Iran carried out a new wave of missile strikes toward Israel, prompting Israeli air-defence systems to activate across several regions.

According to the Israeli military, missiles were detected heading toward the country following a three-hour Iranian attack targeting Israeli cities including Tel Aviv, Haifa and West Jerusalem.

Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, citing the country’s elite Revolutionary Guards, described the barrage as “the most intense and heaviest since the start of the war.”

The continuing missile exchanges underscore how the conflict remains highly volatile despite repeated international calls for de-escalation.

US destroys Iranian boats near Strait of Hormuz

The United States military said it had destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.

The action came after US President Donald Trump warned of a drastic escalation if Iran attempted to mine the strategic waterway, through which a significant portion of global oil supplies passes.

Any disruption to the Strait of Hormuz could have severe consequences for global energy markets and international trade.

Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles and drones

Saudi Arabia said its air-defence systems intercepted six ballistic missiles launched toward Prince Sultan Air Base, along with another missile heading toward the eastern region of the kingdom.

Authorities also reported intercepting seven drones targeting an oil field in the southeast and eight additional drones heading toward eastern areas of the country.

The interceptions highlight how the war has increasingly spilled into Gulf airspace, threatening key military facilities and energy infrastructure.

Iran reportedly targets US base in Kuwait

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said that at least two missiles targeted a United States base in Kuwait, according to Iranian news agencies Fars and Mehr.

However, Kuwaiti authorities have not yet confirmed the reports, leaving the scale and impact of the alleged attack unclear.

The claim nevertheless reflects Tehran’s willingness to expand strikes against US military assets in the region.

Shipping and energy infrastructure under threat

Maritime and energy infrastructure have increasingly become focal points in the widening conflict.

• A container ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates was hit by an unidentified projectile, according to a British maritime security agency.
• The extent of the damage remains unknown, though all crew members were reported safe.
• In another development, the Ruwais refinery in the UAE, one of the world’s largest oil refining complexes, halted operations as a precaution after a drone attack on the industrial complex housing it.

The incidents underscore growing concerns over shipping security and global energy supplies as the war spreads across the Gulf.

Oil prices fall amid possible reserve release

Global oil prices dropped after reports that the International Energy Agency (IEA) could release oil reserves to stabilise markets.

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed officials, reported that the agency was considering its largest ever coordinated release of oil reserves.

Following the report:

• Brent crude fell to about $87.06 per barrel
• West Texas Intermediate dropped to around $82.60

Energy markets have remained highly sensitive to developments in the conflict due to fears of supply disruptions in the region.

Lebanon drawn deeper into the war

The conflict has also intensified in Lebanon, where Israeli strikes have targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs and other areas in the country’s south.

Lebanese authorities said nearly 760,000 people have been registered as displaced following the latest escalation.

Lebanon was pulled into the war after the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel in response to the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.

Iran accuses Israel of killing diplomats

Iran said four of its diplomats were killed in a weekend strike on a seafront hotel in Beirut, which it described as a “terrorist attack.”

The Israeli military previously said it had “conducted a precise strike targeting key commanders” of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, the unit responsible for overseas operations.

Casualties mount as war continues

The Pentagon said about 140 US military personnel have been wounded since the start of the conflict.

The injuries come in addition to seven US service members who were killed earlier in the war, according to the US military.

Cyber espionage and arrests reported

Both sides have also accused each other of espionage and cyber activity.

• Israel’s cybersecurity directorate said it had identified “dozens of Iranian breaches into security cameras for espionage purposes” since the war began.
• Iran’s intelligence ministry announced the arrest of 30 people accused of spying “on behalf of two Persian Gulf countries in the name of the American-Zionist enemy.”

Officials said one of those detained was a foreign national, though the nationality was not disclosed.

Iran rules out ceasefire

Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran is not seeking a ceasefire, signalling that the conflict may continue.

“We aren’t seeking a ceasefire,” he said on social media, adding that the United States and Israel must be “taught a lesson that will deter them from attacking Iran again.”

Attack on Dubai Airport

Two drones fell near the Dubai International Airport, injuring four people, according to the Dubai Media Office. The injured citizens include three foreign nationals and caused moderate injuries to one Indian citizen.

Flight operations on the airport are continuing as normal, the authority stated.

As per the official statement, two Ghanaian nationals and one Bangladeshi national suffered minor injuries.

West Asia Conflict: Centre asks states to take strict action against fuel hoarding, black marketing

The Centre on Wednesday directed state governments to take strict action to prevent hoarding and black marketing of fuel as concerns grow over global supply pressures. The directive was conveyed during a meeting between the Union Home Secretary and Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police from all states and Union Territories.