Kursiv Uzbekistan (Eng)

🛢 Aramco Shuts Ras Tanura Refinery After Drone Attack 🚨 Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco has closed the Ras Tanura refinery after a drone strike hit the facility, according to Reuters. The refinery, one of the Middle East’s largest with capacity of about 550,000 barrels per day, also serves as a major crude export terminal. 🔥 Saudi authorities said two drones were intercepted, with falling debris causing a small fire. Officials described the shutdown as a precautionary measure, adding that the situation is under control and no injuries were reported. 📉 The attack adds to rising concerns over global oil supply. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 20% of the world’s oil trade, has slowed after recent attacks on vessels. Brent crude prices jumped about 10%. 🌍 The incident comes amid a wave of regional strikes reported in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Manama and Oman’s port of Duqm, while oil production in Iraq’s Kurdistan region was also temporarily halted as a precaution. #MiddleEast#News#Resources

🚨 Israel Expands War on Iran With Strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon 💥 Israel launched new air strikes on Tehran and extended operations to Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after the group fired missiles and drones in retaliation for Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei’s death. Explosions rocked Hezbollah-controlled southern Beirut, and senior figures near the capital were also targeted. ⚠️ The conflict spreads regionally despite a 2024 ceasefire. Israel warned Hezbollah to stop attacks and urged residents in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate. Air raid sirens sounded across Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as Iranian missiles were reportedly launched toward enemy targets. 🛡 The U.S. said the campaign, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, could last weeks. American aircraft and naval forces have hit over 1,000 Iranian targets. Three U.S. service members were killed in Kuwait, marking the first U.S. casualties. #MiddleEast#News

🚨 153 Reportedly Killed in Strike on School in Iran 💥 At least 153 people, including children, were reportedly killed after a strike hit a girls’ school in the southern Iranian city of Minab, according to BBC reports. ⚠️ Iranian authorities blamed the United States and Israel for the attack. However, U.S. Central Command said it was reviewing the reports, while the Israel Defense Forces stated it was not aware of any operations in the area. 📍 The school is located near a base belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has previously been targeted during regional tensions. 📊 The incident comes amid a wider wave of strikes across Iran. The Iranian Red Crescent Society says at least 201 people have been killed and 747 injured in air attacks nationwide since Saturday. #MiddleEast#News

Images from late February show smoke and debris at the Konarak naval basin near Chah Bahar, where a frigate was believed to be docked. Additional reports point to possible strikes on naval infrastructure and drone-linked facilities. The operation appears to signal a shift beyond land-based targets, with implications for: • Regional naval balance • Energy security • Global shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz Shipping traffic in the strait has reportedly declined, highlighting rising maritime risk in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. If confirmed, this would represent a significant escalation — bringing naval assets and maritime infrastructure directly into the conflict. #MiddleEast#News

Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi Declares Jihad Against US and Israel A major escalation in rhetoric has emerged from Iran’s religious leadership. Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, one of the country’s most influential Shia clerics, has reportedly declared jihad against the United States and Israel following the reported killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to Iranian media, the cleric described avenging Khamenei’s death as a religious duty for Muslims worldwide — a statement that could significantly heighten geopolitical tensions across the Middle East. This development underscores how the current crisis is no longer confined to military dynamics alone, but is increasingly taking on ideological and religious dimensions — raising concerns about broader regional mobilisation and prolonged instability. Key question: Will rhetoric translate into coordinated action, or remain symbolic escalation? #MiddleEast#News

Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan expresses deep concern over the rapid escalation of tensions in the Middle East, which has contributed to growing instability across the wider region. We urge all sides to demonstrate maximum restraint and avoid actions that may further aggravate the situation and lead to serious military, political, and humanitarian repercussions. We underline the necessity of addressing the crisis in full accordance with international law, through political and diplomatic efforts, including constructive and mutually acceptable dialogue. Uzbekistan remains firmly committed to promoting regional peace and security and hopes for the swift stabilization and normalization of the situation.” #MiddleEast#News