{"id":23766,"date":"2026-03-13T15:06:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T15:06:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/iran-war-attacks-israel-oil\/"},"modified":"2026-03-13T15:06:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T15:06:20","slug":"iran-war-attacks-israel-oil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/iran-war-attacks-israel-oil\/","title":{"rendered":"Live updates: Iran war news; attacks in Israel, oil price shock and economic fallout – CNN"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Lead:<\/strong> On March 13, 2026, a widening conflict between Iran and a US\u2011Israeli coalition has produced strikes across the Middle East, attacks on shipping that have effectively halted transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and a sharp global oil shock. A US KC\u2011135 tanker crashed in western Iraq; CENTCOM later confirmed all six crew members aboard were killed and a second tanker was damaged but landed safely. Markets and allied capitals reacted with emergency measures while political leaders issued stark warnings about escalation and humanitarian risk.<\/p>\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n
    \n
  • Six US service members died after a KC\u2011135 aerial refueling tanker crashed in western Iraq; a second tanker was damaged and landed in Israel, CENTCOM confirmed.<\/li>\n
  • Global oil benchmarks spiked: Brent traded above $100 a barrel (first time since 2022) and WTI traded above $94, contributing to US retail gasoline averaging $3.63 per gallon \u2014 a 22\u2011month high.<\/li>\n
  • The Strait of Hormuz has been nearly closed at times; roughly 20% of global oil flow transits the strait under normal conditions, amplifying supply worries.<\/li>\n
  • US and Israeli strikes have, according to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, struck over 15,000 targets and greatly degraded Iranian missile and drone capacity; those claims are attributed to Pentagon briefings.<\/li>\n
  • Iranian\u2011aligned groups claimed responsibility for some attacks and an Iranian statement said the strait could be used as leverage; responsibility and precise battlefield effects remain contested in several incidents.<\/li>\n
  • The US Treasury issued a limited license on March 12 allowing the sale of sanctioned Russian crude already at sea through April 11 to try to blunt the price surge.<\/li>\n
  • European leaders warned that easing Russia sanctions risks creating unintended funding for Moscow and stressed sustained support for Ukraine despite the Iran crisis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Background<\/h2>\n

    The immediate crisis follows an intensified US\u2011Israeli campaign that began with coordinated strikes on February 28, 2026. Washington and Tel Aviv say the operation targets Iran\u2019s military infrastructure; Iranian authorities and affiliated militias have responded with missile and drone strikes across the Gulf and at regional bases. The fighting has quickly involved naval harassment, mine\u2011laying and attacks on commercial shipping near the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which about one\u2011fifth of global seaborne oil passes in normal times.<\/p>\n

    Regional actors and global economies are now entwined: Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait have faced direct attacks on facilities, while world markets seek alternative supplies. European governments \u2014 already focused on Moscow\u2019s war in Ukraine \u2014 fear that a sustained energy shock could realign priorities or create openings for Russia to exploit higher prices. Humanitarian and security stakeholders also emphasize risks to civilians after strikes near large public gatherings and reports of damage to schools.<\/p>\n

    Main Event<\/h2>\n

    On Thursday, March 12, a US KC\u2011135 aerial refueling tanker crashed in western Iraq during a mission; CENTCOM announced the deaths of all six crew members and said an investigation is ongoing, characterizing the incident as not the result of hostile or friendly fire. Another US tanker involved in a mid\u2011air incident carried damage to its tail but landed in Israel, where images showed visible harm to the aircraft.<\/p>\n

    In Beirut, thousands of Israeli leaflets reportedly dropped from an aircraft were photographed and widely shared; the Lebanese Army attributed the flyers to an Israeli plane and warned residents not to scan embedded QR codes because of security risks. The Israel Defense Forces declined to comment on the specific leaflet drop. Similar leaflet campaigns have been used in prior conflicts to communicate with local populations.<\/p>\n

    Across Tehran, explosions were reported near large crowds attending the annual Al Quds Day rally; Iranian state media said at least one person was killed. Tehran and Israeli sources traded accusations about responsibility for strikes near the march. Separately, a strike on a girls\u2019 school in Iran that killed scores of children has prompted CENTCOM to open a command investigation led by an outside general officer; initial reporting has suggested the possibility of a mistaken strike while targeting nearby military facilities, but officials have not confirmed responsibility.<\/p>\n

    Political leaders have offered divergent public assessments. Former President Donald Trump said he believed Iran\u2019s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, had been injured and was \u201cprobably alive,\u201d while Defense Secretary Hegseth described extensive degradation of Iranian military capacity and emphasized US plans to target minelaying and other maritime threats in the strait.<\/p>\n

    Analysis & Implications<\/h2>\n

    Energy markets are the immediate economic transmission channel. The near\u2011closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts crude flows from Gulf producers and forces buyers to seek more distant supplies, driving up freight costs and benchmark prices. Short\u2011term policy responses \u2014 strategic reserve releases and temporary regulatory waivers \u2014 can alleviate acute shortages but are limited in scale compared with the volume potentially removed from global trade by sustained closures or damage to major terminals.<\/p>\n

    The US Treasury\u2019s temporary authorization for sanctioned Russian crude already at sea is a tactical move to increase supply in the narrow short term, but European leaders worry it could indirectly benefit Moscow if extended or expanded. That concern is acute given estimates that a modest easing could provide billions in revenue to states under sanction, which Western capitals fear could finance other conflicts.<\/p>\n

    Militarily, damage to tanker traffic and repeated attacks on Gulf infrastructure raise insurance costs, push shipping to reroute around Africa\u2019s Cape of Good Hope, and lengthen delivery times \u2014 effects that reverberate through commodity prices and inflation. If Iran\u2019s ability to project force at sea remains contested, insurers, commodity traders and governments will need to recalibrate risk premia and contingency plans for months to come.<\/p>\n

    Politically, the crisis tests alliance cohesion. European leaders have publicly cautioned Washington about measures that might reduce pressure on Russia or shift attention from Ukraine. At the same time, the human toll from strikes near civilian gatherings and schools intensifies calls for independent scrutiny and for humanitarian corridors or protections in conflict zones.<\/p>\n

    Comparison & Data<\/h2>\n
    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Indicator<\/th>\nRecent value<\/th>\nChange (relative)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Brent crude<\/td>\n~$100+\/bbl<\/td>\nFirst close above $100 since 2022<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    WTI crude<\/td>\n~$94+\/bbl<\/td>\nUp sharply since late February<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    US retail gasoline (avg)<\/td>\n$3.63\/gal<\/td>\n22\u2011month high; +65\u00a2 since start of fighting<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Strait of Hormuz oil flow<\/td>\n~20% of global seaborne oil (normal)<\/td>\nNear\u2011total stoppage at peak incidents<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

    These figures show the rapid transmission from battlefield dynamics to market metrics. Even modest, sustained disruptions at the Strait translate into large percentage shifts in benchmark prices because physical spare capacity is thin. Retail gasoline lags futures and wholesale moves, so consumers will likely see longer persistence in pump prices even if futures retreat over weeks.<\/p>\n

    Reactions & Quotes<\/h2>\n

    Leaders and institutions responded with urgency, signaling political, military and economic consequences:<\/p>\n

    \n

    I don\u2019t worry about this; we watch everything at a level like never before, and we will protect shipping and our interests.<\/p>\n

    Donald Trump (former US president, radio interview)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Context: Trump\u2019s remarks sought to reassure domestic audiences and emphasize US surveillance and response capabilities while suggesting a short timeline for the conflict\u2019s end.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Between our Air Force and that of the Israelis, over 15,000 enemy targets have been struck; Iran\u2019s missile volume is down by about 90% and one\u2011way drones down 95%.<\/p>\n

    Pete Hegseth (US Defense Secretary, Pentagon briefing)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Context: These operational claims come from Pentagon briefings and are presented as battlefield assessments; independent verification of target counts and exact degradation levels is limited at this stage.<\/p>\n

    \n

    The easing of some oil sanctions risks enabling those who would exploit the chaos to the detriment of Ukraine and broader security.<\/p>\n

    Emmanuel Macron (French President, joint press conference)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Context: Macron stressed continued European support for Ukraine and warned that temporary energy measures should not erode longer\u2011term sanctions policy.<\/p>\n