DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) \u2014 Iran\u2019s attacks on regional oil infrastructure and pledges to choke off maritime traffic left markets on edge Tuesday as the United States promised blistering new strikes. The war entered its 11th day with no end in sight as its effects were felt across the region and beyond. <\/p>\n
Both sides sharpened their rhetoric as they dug in, with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth again promising the most intense strikes yet, while Iran\u2019s leaders ruled out talks and directly threatened U.S. President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n
Iran launched new attacks Israel and Gulf Arab countries, and Israel \u2014 America\u2019s key ally in the fight \u2014 launched more airstrikes on Tehran and in Lebanon, where it is battling the Iran-backed Hezbollah. <\/p>\n
Death toll rises in the Gulf<\/p>\n
The United Arab Emirates reported two more deaths as nine drones struck the country, while nearly three dozen other drones and missiles were intercepted. Firefighters battled a blaze in the industrial city of Ruwais \u2014 home to petrochemical plants \u2014 after an Iranian drone strike, officials said. No injuries were reported there.<\/p>\n
Attacks on the wealthy Gulf country \u2014 home to the business and travel hub of Dubai \u2014 have killed six people and wounded 122 others since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, triggering a shatter-shot response by Tehran across the region.<\/p>\n
In Bahrain, authorities said an Iranian attack hit a residential building in the capital, Manama, killing a 29-year-old woman and wounding eight people. Saudi Arabia said it destroyed two drones over its oil-rich eastern region, and Kuwait\u2019s National Guard said it shot down six drones.<\/p>\n
Sirens also sounded in Jerusalem, and sounds of explosions could be heard in Tel Aviv as Israel\u2019s air defenses worked to intercept barrages from Iran. Hezbollah, which began firing on Israel after the start of the war, launched missiles into Israel. <\/p>\n
US and Iranian leaders trade threats<\/p>\n
At the Pentagon, Hegseth warned that Tuesday \u201cwill be yet again our most intense day of strikes inside Iran: The most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes, intelligence more refined and better than ever.\u201d He said \u201cthe last 24 hours have seen Iran fire the lowest amount of missiles they have fired yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said U.S. forces hit more than 5,000 targets, and that their objectives included striking \u201cdeeper into Iran\u2019s military and industrial base.\u201d<\/p>\n
Witnesses reported hearing several explosions in Tehran in the afternoon as Israel commenced a new wave of airstrikes. Many shops were shuttered.<\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s leaders have remained defiant after days of heavy strikes targeting the country\u2019s leadership, military, ballistic missiles and disputed nuclear program. Iran\u2019s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said on X that Iran was \u201cdefinitely not looking for a ceasefire.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe that the aggressor should be punched in the mouth so that he learns a lesson so that he will never think of attacking our beloved Iran again,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
A top Iranian security official, Ali Larijani, appeared to threaten Trump himself, writing on X that \u201cIran doesn\u2019t fear your empty threats. Even those bigger than you couldn\u2019t eliminate Iran. Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.\u201d Iran has been accused of plotting attempts to kill Trump in the past.<\/p>\n
Attacks aimed at pressuring the US<\/p>\n
Along with firing missiles and drones at Israel and at American bases in the region, Iran has targeted energy infrastructure<\/a>, attacks that appear aimed at generating enough global economic pain to pressure the U.S. and Israel to end their strikes.<\/p>\n Brent crude, the international standard, spiked to nearly $120 on Monday before falling back but was still at around $90 a barrel on Tuesday, nearly 24% higher than when the war started on Feb. 28. The Dow Jones Industrial Average drifted lower at the open Tuesday.<\/p>\n