Netanyahu Says Iran Unable to Enrich Uranium; Hits Tehran During Nowruz
Israel strikes Tehran during Nowruz, global energy markets surge.
Israel conducted airstrikes on Tehran on Friday as Iranians celebrated Nowruz, the Persian New Year, escalating a war that has disrupted global energy markets and heightened regional tensions. The attacks followed Israel's pledge to pause strikes on Iran's key South Pars gas field at U.S. President Donald Trump's request, even as Iran intensified assaults on Gulf oil and natural gas facilities. Activists reported explosions near the capital, shaking the city amid festivities.
The strikes coincided with heavy explosions in Dubai early Friday, where air defenses intercepted incoming fire during Eid al-Fitr celebrations marking Ramadan's end. Mosques issued dawn prayers as residents sheltered from the blasts. Iran maintained its barrage against Israel, launching over a dozen missiles on Thursday alone, triggering sirens from Haifa to the Galilee and Lebanese border, forcing millions into shelters.
Israel's military campaign, launched February 28 alongside the U.S., has decimated Iran's leadership—including the supreme leader—and crippled its capabilities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Thursday that Iran can no longer enrich uranium or produce ballistic missiles, claiming victory in degrading Tehran's nuclear and missile industries during a televised address. He stated, "We are winning and Iran is being decimated," though no independent evidence was presented.
Also Read: Iran's Supreme Leader Not in Tehran During US-Israel Strikes? Moved To Safe Location say Sources
Iran, now led by the slain supreme leader's son, retains missile and drone capacities despite these setbacks. Its control over the Strait of Hormuz—handling one-fifth of global oil—has strained fuel supplies, with Brent crude briefly topping $119 per barrel, up over 60% since war's outset. European natural gas benchmarks have doubled in a month, jolting economies worldwide.
Netanyahu's restraint on South Pars, Iran's largest gas field shared with Qatar, responded to Gulf allies' pleas for de-escalation after Iranian retaliation hit facilities like Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG and Saudi Arabia's Yanbu refinery. These exchanges risk pulling Arab states deeper into conflict, prompting U.N. Security Council urgings and Trump's mediation efforts.
The Nowruz timing amplified outrage, blending cultural observance with warfare's chaos. As energy shocks ripple—spiking India's import costs and pressuring rupee—diplomatic windows narrow, with Netanyahu's optimism contrasting Iran's persistent strikes and vows of defiance.
Also Read: Israeli PM Netanyahu says "Iran’s Military Crippled, Air Force Nearly Destroyed"
