Iran-US Conflict Escalates: Thousands Dead, Oil Prices Soar

0:00Local headlines in two minutes or less, you're tuned in to Sydney News today. US and Israeli warplanes hit targets across Iran on Monday, as the conflict entered its second week. Iran named Moshdaba Kaminay, as its new supreme leader, after his father was killed in an early Israeli strike, thousands rallied in Tehan Streets, chanting support and waving flags. Iran fired missiles and drones at Israel, US bases in the Middle East, and energy sites in the Gulf. People kept up attacks on Hezbollah and Lebanon, including raids in the South, and strikes near Beirut. A French missile was downed over Turkey, and drones hit Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. In Tehran, crowds showed defiance with calls against America and Israel. US President Donald Trump called the new leader a lightweight and said Iran made a mistake. Gulf leaders condemned the strikes, with Kuwait calling them brutal and Saudi Arabia warning Iran would lose most. Real prices topped $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022, as Iran blocked the

1:04straight of Hormuz, halting tankers with, one-fifth of world oil. Global stock markets dropped sharply amid fears of a long war. French President Emanuel Macron announced a defensive naval mission to protect Gulf shipping and reopen the strait. Casualties mount with over 1,200 dead in Iran, nearly 411 on, and displacements hitting hundreds of thousands. No side shows signs of backing down.