War Intensifies: Israel Claims Upper Hand as Tanker Strike Threatens Gulf Stability

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel’s military campaign against Iran is “beyond halfway” complete, even as the conflict spilled further into Gulf waters with a reported attack on a Kuwaiti oil tanker near Dubai.

Speaking amid ongoing hostilities, Netanyahu said more than half of Israel’s strategic objectives in Iran had been achieved, signalling confidence in the joint military operations involving Israel and its allies. However, he declined to provide a timeline for the end of the war, which began in late February and has since escalated across the Middle East.

The remarks come as tensions intensified following a drone strike on a Kuwaiti-flagged crude oil tanker, Al-Salmi, anchored near Dubai. Authorities confirmed that the vessel caught fire after the attack but that the blaze was quickly contained, with all crew members safe and no immediate oil spill reported.

Multiple reports indicate the strike is part of a broader pattern of retaliatory attacks linked to Iran, targeting energy infrastructure and shipping routes across the Gulf.

The incident underscores growing risks to global energy supply chains, as the conflict continues to affect key maritime routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz; a critical passage for nearly a fifth of the world’s oil.

Regional tensions have surged in recent weeks, with missile and drone exchanges reported across several countries, including Lebanon, Iraq, and Gulf states. Oil prices have responded sharply, climbing amid fears of prolonged disruption to supply.

Despite claims of progress by Israeli leadership, Iran has continued to demonstrate its capacity to strike strategic targets, raising concerns among international observers about the potential for a wider regional war.

Global powers have called for restraint, but diplomatic efforts remain fragile as both sides intensify military operations.