Iran's military warned Saturday it could target ports and docks in the United Arab Emirates in retaliation fora US strikeon the critical Iranian oil export hub of Kharg Island, an attack that analysts cautioned further escalates the war.
Plumes of smoke were later seen rising from a major oil hub in the United Arab Emirates after a drone attack and fire.
Advertisement
The strikes on Kharg Island, which a US official said avoided hitting vital oil infrastructure, comes as the economic fallout over the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to grow, the Pentagonannounced it is deployinga rapid response marine unit to the Middle East, and the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq was struck by two drones.
Here's what to know on day 15.
What are the main headlines?
Kharg Island: The US military said it struck more than 90 military targets overnight while "preserving" the island's oil infrastructure, which handles roughly 90% of Iran's crude exports. US President Donald Trump threatened to attack that infrastructure on the five-mile stretch of land in the Persian Gulf if Iran continues blocking ships from the Strait of Hormuz. A US military official told CNN the strikes targeted naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers and other military infrastructure.
Raising the stakes: Some operations at the port of Fujairah, a key UAE oil hub, were disrupted following a drone attack and fire Saturday, according to reports from Reuters and Bloomberg citing sources. The blaze began when debris from an intercepted drone fell, the Fujairah Media Office said, which did not mention any disruption to operations. Iran's military had earlier warned it could target UAE ports and docks in retaliation for the Kharg Island strike claiming the US had launched missiles from these positions overnight.
US Embassy in Baghdad: Two drones struck the US Embassy in the Iraqi capital, a security official told CNN. Video geolocated by CNN on Saturday showed smoke and flames rising from a building in the vicinity of the compound. CNN has reached out to the embassy, State Department, White House and US Central Command for more information.
Strait of Hormuz: Iran allowed two Indian tankers carrying liquid petroleum gas to pass through the strait early Saturday morning, according to an Indian foreign ministry official. Separately, a senior Iranian official told CNN that Tehran was considering allowing some vessels to pass through the strait, provided the cargo is traded in Chinese yuan. While the critical waterway remains effectively shut to most tankers, Trump said Friday he believes the US Navy will "soon" help ships safely navigate through, although his energy secretary has said the navy aren't yet capable of these operations.
Fuel crisis: Global oil prices settled at their highest level on Friday since July 2022 as anxiety about the effective closure of the strait continued across global markets. Brent crude was trading at $101.18 a barrel as of market close yesterday evening. Countries are planning to dip into oil reserves as they grapple with the crisis.
Marines heading to region: The Pentagon is deploying a Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East, a rapid response unit that typically comprises around 2,500 Marines and sailors, officials told CNN. It's not yet clear what the MEU will be used for or where exactly it will be deployed.
What's happening in the region?
Strikes on Iran: Israel says it continued to strike Iran Friday night as the death toll from the war continues to rise. US and Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 1,300 people, the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations said. Israel said its targets ranged from Iranian security checkpoints in Tehran to weapons storage facilities and government offices. One strike that hit a police station was "so loud and made the entire house shake," a nearby resident told CNN. "Half the neighborhood lost power last night but most of us have it back," the man added.
Around the region: The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia reported interceptions over their territory early Saturday local time, while Bahrain urged residents to shelter in a safe place. Two people were injured in southern Israel after a series of Iranian missile launches on Saturday afternoon. Residents in Tel Aviv heard two large explosions as sirens sounded in the city for the first time in more than 12 hours. Sirens were also heard in Jerusalem and in the north of Israel. The US State Department ordered non-emergency American government employees to leave Oman.
Grief in Lebanon: Israeli strikes killed nine people from the same family in Lebanon's south, including four children. "Everyone here knows what my girls meant to me," the children's father told CNN. Another Israeli strike targeting a healthcare center killed at least 12 medical staff. Israel on Friday expanded its operations targeting the Iran-backed militia Hezbollah, including in the capital Beirut.
Deadly plane crash: The US military said all six service members aboard a refueling aircraft were killed when it crashed Thursday in Iraq. Three of those six people were from Ohio, US Vice President JD Vance said. The US said the incident was "not due to hostile fire," but an Iranian proxy group claimed responsibility without providing evidence for its claims. An Air Force official later told CNN that the aircraft was not equipped with ejection systems or parachutes to evacuate its occupants mid-air.
Where is the supreme leader? The US government is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information on key Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. US Vice President JD Vance said Khamenei is "hurt" but "we don't know exactly how bad." While Khamenei offered a message through Iranian state media Thursday, he didn't appear on video or audio. CNN previously reported that Khamenei was wounded on the first day of the war.
Toxic air: CNN analysis of satellite imagery and air quality data shows Israeli strikes at fuel facilities across Tehran last weekend spiked pollution levels, ignited fires and caused oil spills.
For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com