Iran attacks Gulf refineries as Trump warns of strikes
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- Iran launched drone and missile attacks, setting fire to Kuwait's largest oil refinery and causing an incident at the UAE's Habshan gas facility.
- President Trump threatened to destroy Iranian bridges and electric power plants next if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, urging a "FAST!" response from Iran's leadership.
- Iranian officials reported that the B1 bridge linking Tehran to Karaj was destroyed overnight by U.S. strikes, killing eight people.
- The Strait of Hormuz blockade by Iran, in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli strikes, has caused Brent crude oil prices to surge by 7.8% on Friday, reaching US$109.03 per barrel.
- Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that striking civilian infrastructure "will not compel Iranians to surrender," directly responding to Trump's threats.
- Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi and other Iranians criticized Trump's threat to hit civilian infrastructure, arguing it would cause hardship for ordinary citizens and contradict claims of separating the people from the regime.
Why it matters: Brent crude oil prices surged to US$109.03 per barrel, a 50% increase since the war began, due to the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
