Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei announced that the country has developed a new military response plan in the event of renewed attacks from the U.S. or Israel. He emphasized that this plan would diverge from previous tactics and could result in far more severe consequences than earlier conflicts, specifically referencing the 12-day and 40-day wars from June 2025 and February 2026. This statement highlights Tehran’s heightened preparedness amid escalating regional tensions.

Tensions in the region escalated further as UK Maritime Trade Operations reported multiple attacks on commercial vessels near the Arabian Peninsula in recent days. This included a tugboat north-east of the UAE sustaining hits from unidentified projectiles, a liquefied natural gas tanker fending off an aggressive skiff near Yemen, and another tanker being struck by a rocket-propelled grenade north-east of Saudi Arabia. These incidents underscore the growing risks faced by maritime traffic in key shipping lanes along critical energy corridors.

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, meanwhile reiterated Tehran’s commitment to defending its sovereignty but expressed openness to dialogue. This came on the heels of U.S. President Donald Trump ruling out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran and dismissing plans to deploy ground troops. Trump’s comments aimed to reduce fears of full-scale nuclear conflict, even as Washington weighs its strategic military options in the region.

Saudi Arabia also reported intercepting several missile and drone attacks over the Red Sea and within its territories, attributed to Iran-aligned Houthi militants in Yemen. The kingdom’s energy infrastructure, including facilities operated by Saudi Aramco, has been targeted recently, amplifying concerns over oil supply stability. Both regional security dynamics and international shipping remain critical factors driving volatile energy markets and geopolitical risk assessments globally.