Cairo: The conflict between Iran and the United States entered a more dangerous phase on Thursday as attacks spread across the Middle East, reaching Kuwait and Egypt, while the US military carried out one of its biggest waves of strikes against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The latest developments have raised fears that the fighting is expanding beyond direct military targets and could threaten regional security, energy supplies and international businesses operating in the Gulf.
Kuwaiti authorities confirmed that an Iranian strike hit a building belonging to a Chinese company in northern Kuwait, killing one worker. The victim was reported to be an expatriate employee. Emergency services rushed to the scene and secured the area while officials began an investigation into the attack. The incident marks one of the first reported fatalities involving a foreign commercial company in Kuwait since the conflict intensified.
The attack has caused concern among governments and businesses across the region because Kuwait hosts important military facilities used by the United States while also maintaining diplomatic ties with Iran. Chinese officials have not yet released detailed information about the victim, but the incident has increased worries about the safety of foreign workers and companies operating in Gulf countries.
In another major development, Egypt confirmed that a drone attack caused fires aboard two gas vessels at the Damietta Port on the Mediterranean coast. Egyptian authorities said an unmanned aircraft struck the floating gas storage vessel Energos Winter, causing a fire that later spread to another vessel, Gaslog Salem. Firefighters managed to bring the flames under control and no injuries were reported.
The Egyptian government said investigations are continuing to determine all the circumstances surrounding the attack. Security has been strengthened around ports and energy facilities across the country. The strike is seen as particularly significant because Damietta is one of Egypt's most important liquefied natural gas export terminals and plays a key role in supplying gas to international markets, especially Europe.
The attack has also highlighted how the conflict is expanding beyond the Gulf into the eastern Mediterranean. Analysts say targeting energy infrastructure could have serious consequences for global energy supplies if similar incidents continue.
Meanwhile, the United States military announced that it had carried out extensive air strikes against dozens of targets linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. According to US Central Command, the operation targeted command centres, missile launch sites, drone facilities, coastal defence systems and military surveillance infrastructure across Iran.
American officials described the strikes as a direct response to recent Iranian attacks on US forces stationed in Jordan and other military positions in the region. They said the operation was intended to reduce Iran's ability to launch further missile and drone attacks against American troops and allies.
Iran strongly condemned the US operation and said several military personnel were killed in the strikes. Iranian officials also reported civilian casualties, including members of a family on Qeshm Island. Tehran accused Washington of escalating the conflict and warned that it would continue responding to what it described as acts of aggression.
The latest exchanges have increased fears of a wider regional conflict. In recent days, missile and drone attacks have been reported across several countries, including Iraq, Jordan and the Gulf region. Commercial shipping routes, military bases and energy infrastructure have all become potential targets as both sides continue to exchange attacks.
Regional governments are working to strengthen security around airports, ports, oil facilities and other critical infrastructure. Several countries have increased military patrols while monitoring the situation closely. International shipping companies are also reviewing security measures as concerns grow over possible disruptions to maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters.
Financial markets reacted to the latest developments as oil prices initially climbed on concerns that attacks on energy facilities and shipping routes could affect global supplies. Although prices later eased slightly, analysts said markets remain highly sensitive to any further escalation because a large share of the world's oil exports passes through the Gulf region.
Diplomatic efforts are continuing behind the scenes despite the military escalation. Oman and several Gulf countries are maintaining contact with both Washington and Tehran in an effort to prevent the conflict from spreading further. However, no major breakthrough has been announced, and military operations continue on both sides.
The latest attacks demonstrate that the confrontation has evolved beyond direct military exchanges into a broader regional crisis affecting civilians, commercial businesses and critical energy infrastructure. With fresh strikes continuing and tensions remaining extremely high, governments around the world are closely watching whether diplomatic efforts can prevent the conflict from developing into a much wider war.