Get the latest news and updates from Dawn
WITH neither of the belligerents willing to back down, and the theatre of conflict expanding geographically, the US-Iran war is in an extremely dangerous phase. There was some hope that last week’s lull in violence could lead to a resumption of the diplomatic process, but these expectations were short-lived.
In the latest round, fighting has spread to Iraq and Egypt, further complicating efforts to douse the flames of war in the region. On Monday, Saudi Arabia witnessed drone attacks on oil facilities in its east. The attacks are believed to have been carried out by pro-Iran militias in Iraq — Tehran has denied the charge. In response, together with the Americans, the Saudis hit several targets in Iraq, causing a number of casualties. This is the first major public Saudi involvement in combat during this war.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian port of Damietta came under a drone attack on Wednesday. No party claimed responsibility. In the latest developments, the US has hit the Iranian island of Qeshm, causing civilian fatalities, while the Iranians have attacked facilities in Jordan and Kuwait. The Ukrainians had also targeted an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea last week.
