{"id":59509,"date":"2026-03-07T02:38:28","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T06:38:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-conflict-escalates-israeli-strikes-hit-tehran-as-iran-targets-gulf-energy-infrastructure\/59509\/"},"modified":"2026-03-07T02:38:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T06:38:28","slug":"middle-east-conflict-escalates-israeli-strikes-hit-tehran-as-iran-targets-gulf-energy-infrastructure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-conflict-escalates-israeli-strikes-hit-tehran-as-iran-targets-gulf-energy-infrastructure\/59509\/","title":{"rendered":"Middle East Conflict Escalates: Israeli Strikes Hit Tehran as Iran Targets Gulf Energy Infrastructure"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-conflict-escalates-israeli-strikes-hit-tehran-as-iran-targets-gulf-energy-infrastructure\/59509\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-conflict-escalates-israeli-strikes-hit-tehran-as-iran-targets-gulf-energy-infrastructure\/59509\/#Middle_East_Conflict_Reaches_Fever_Pitch\" >Middle East Conflict Reaches Fever Pitch<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-conflict-escalates-israeli-strikes-hit-tehran-as-iran-targets-gulf-energy-infrastructure\/59509\/#Strait_of_Hormuz_and_Global_Supply_Chain_Crisis\" >Strait of Hormuz and Global Supply Chain Crisis<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-conflict-escalates-israeli-strikes-hit-tehran-as-iran-targets-gulf-energy-infrastructure\/59509\/#China_Reports_Rise_in_Foreign_Exchange_Reserves\" >China Reports Rise in Foreign Exchange Reserves<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-conflict-escalates-israeli-strikes-hit-tehran-as-iran-targets-gulf-energy-infrastructure\/59509\/#FDA_Clears_Johnson_Johnson_Myeloma_Treatment\" >FDA Clears Johnson &amp; Johnson Myeloma Treatment<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www2.stockmarketwatch.com\/stock-market-news\/middle-east-conflict-escalates-israeli-strikes-hit-tehran-as-iran-targets-gulf-energy-infrastructure\/59509\/#Russia_Intensifies_Strikes_on_Ukrainian_Cities\" >Russia Intensifies Strikes on Ukrainian Cities<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span>Key Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Israel has launched a massive new wave of airstrikes on Tehran<\/strong> and central Iran, following the confirmed death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei earlier in the conflict.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Iran\u2019s &quot;mosaic defense&quot; strategy has triggered a 2,000-mile front of retaliation<\/strong>, with missile and drone strikes targeting the <strong>UAE<\/strong> and <strong>Saudi Arabia<\/strong> to disrupt global energy facilities.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Strait of Hormuz remains &quot;strangled&quot; with shipping traffic down 90%<\/strong>, as the IRGC warns it is &quot;waiting&quot; for U.S. naval forces to attempt escorts.<\/li>\n<li><strong>China\u2019s foreign exchange reserves rose to $3.4278 trillion<\/strong> in February 2026, marking a <strong>$28.7 billion increase<\/strong> despite the widening regional instability.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Johnson &amp; Johnson (<a href=\"\/stock\/JNJ\">JNJ<\/a>) received rapid FDA clearance<\/strong> for a breakthrough multiple myeloma combo drug after trials showed an <strong>83% reduction in the risk of disease progression<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Middle_East_Conflict_Reaches_Fever_Pitch\"><\/span>Middle East Conflict Reaches Fever Pitch<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Israeli Air Force launched a broad wave of attacks on <strong>Tehran<\/strong> and central Iran early Saturday, marking a significant escalation in a war that has already decapitated the Iranian leadership. This latest offensive follows the death of <strong>Ayatollah Ali Khamenei<\/strong>, who was killed in the opening stages of the conflict, prompting the Iranian military to activate its decentralized <strong>&quot;mosaic defense&quot;<\/strong> strategy.<\/p>\n<p>Under this doctrine, regional Iranian commanders have launched missiles and drones across a <strong>2,000-mile front<\/strong>, specifically targeting economic infrastructure in the Gulf. The <strong>UAE Ministry of Defense<\/strong> confirmed it is currently intercepting hostile threats from Iran, while <strong>Saudi Arabia<\/strong> reported the destruction of a drone east of <strong>Riyadh<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Strait_of_Hormuz_and_Global_Supply_Chain_Crisis\"><\/span>Strait of Hormuz and Global Supply Chain Crisis<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Global energy markets are facing unprecedented pressure as the <strong>Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)<\/strong> maintains a stranglehold on the <strong>Strait of Hormuz<\/strong>. The IRGC issued a provocative statement on Saturday, claiming they are &quot;waiting&quot; for <strong>U.S. forces<\/strong> to attempt to escort commercial ships through the strategic waterway.<\/p>\n<p>Maritime traffic through the strait has reportedly plummeted by <strong>90%<\/strong>, effectively halting a significant portion of the world\u2019s crude oil exports. The <strong>U.S. Embassy in Jordan<\/strong> has advised American citizens to explore all remaining options to leave the Middle East as the State Department prepares for further regional destabilization.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"China_Reports_Rise_in_Foreign_Exchange_Reserves\"><\/span>China Reports Rise in Foreign Exchange Reserves<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Despite the geopolitical turmoil, <strong>China&#39;s<\/strong> foreign exchange reserves increased to <strong>$3.4278 trillion<\/strong> at the end of February 2026. This represents a <strong>0.85 percent increase<\/strong> from January, according to official data released on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE)<\/strong> attributed the <strong>$28.7 billion<\/strong> gain to a rising U.S. dollar index and mixed movements in global financial assets. Analysts suggest the increase reflects China&#39;s continued efforts to stabilize its currency amid the high volatility in global trade routes.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FDA_Clears_Johnson_Johnson_Myeloma_Treatment\"><\/span>FDA Clears Johnson &amp; Johnson Myeloma Treatment<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the healthcare sector, the <strong>FDA<\/strong> has granted accelerated approval for a new combination drug from <strong>Johnson &amp; Johnson (<a href=\"\/stock\/JNJ\">JNJ<\/a>)<\/strong> to treat multiple myeloma. The decision was fast-tracked under the <strong>Commissioner\u2019s National Priority Voucher<\/strong> program after Phase 3 results demonstrated a <strong>54% reduction in the risk of death<\/strong> compared to standard care.<\/p>\n<p>The treatment, which combines <strong>Tecvayli<\/strong> and <strong>Darzalex Faspro<\/strong>, showed that <strong>83.3% of patients<\/strong> were alive at the three-year mark. This approval is expected to establish a new standard of care for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, moving the therapy into second-line treatment settings.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Russia_Intensifies_Strikes_on_Ukrainian_Cities\"><\/span>Russia Intensifies Strikes on Ukrainian Cities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The war in Eastern Europe also saw a deadly escalation on Saturday as Russian forces launched a massive missile and drone attack on <strong>Kyiv<\/strong> and <strong>Kharkiv<\/strong>. At least <strong>five people were killed<\/strong> in Kharkiv after a ballistic missile struck a residential building, leaving several others trapped under rubble.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Ukrainian Air Force<\/strong> reported that the strikes targeted multiple civilian and energy infrastructure sites across the country. These attacks coincide with a reported total of over <strong>1.27 million Russian personnel losses<\/strong> since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways Israel has launched a massive new wave of airstrikes on Tehran and central Iran, following the confirmed death 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