We’re Ready for Long War That Will Destroy World Economy – Iran

Iran has warned that it is prepared for a prolonged conflict that could severely disrupt the global economy, as fighting with the United States and Israel intensifies across the Middle East.

A senior adviser to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Ali Fadavi, said the United States and Israel should be prepared for a “long-term war of attrition” that could damage not only the American economy but the wider global financial system.

The warning came as tensions escalated around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas is transported.

Iran said its naval forces fired on two commercial vessels in the strait after they allegedly ignored warnings from the Revolutionary Guards. The ships — the Liberian-flagged container vessel *Express Rome* and the Thai bulk carrier *Mayuree Naree* — were reportedly struck while passing through the waterway. Oman’s navy rescued 20 crew members, while search operations continued for three others.

The conflict has already shaken global energy markets. Oil prices have climbed sharply since February 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran that killed the country’s supreme leader and triggered the current war.

In response to rising prices, the International Energy Agency announced plans to release 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves held by its member countries, the largest coordinated release in the agency’s history.

The war has now entered its twelfth day, with Iran threatening to target financial institutions and economic infrastructure linked to U.S. and Israeli interests. The warnings have prompted multinational firms to begin evacuating staff from offices in Dubai.

Military activity has also spread across the Gulf region. Drones fell near Dubai International Airport on Wednesday, injuring four people, according to local authorities. Fuel storage tanks at the Port of Salalah in Oman were also struck by drones, forcing the suspension of operations in part of the port.

Security analysts warn that any prolonged disruption of the Strait of Hormuz could have severe consequences for global trade. In addition to oil and gas, the route carries a significant share of the world’s fertiliser shipments, making it vital to agricultural supply chains.

International leaders have begun calling for efforts to reopen the waterway. France’s president urged leaders of the G7 to act quickly to restore safe navigation, while the United Nations appealed to all parties to ensure humanitarian cargo can pass through the strait.

Despite the growing economic pressure, the United States has indicated confidence that the conflict could end soon. President Donald Trump said in an interview that the war could conclude quickly, arguing that there were limited remaining targets for U.S. forces in Iran.

Israel, however, signalled that its operations may continue indefinitely. Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israeli military action would proceed “without any time limit” for as long as necessary.

Israeli strikes have expanded beyond Iran. In Lebanon’s capital Beirut, an air strike hit an apartment building in the city centre, marking one of the most significant attacks on the capital since the conflict began. Video footage captured a large explosion and fireball inside the residential building, with extensive damage reported on the upper floors.

Residents described moments of panic as the strikes occurred. One shop owner said he rushed his family to shelter behind a wall inside their apartment before a second blast struck nearby.

Inside Iran, authorities have warned against domestic unrest during the war. Police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said security forces were prepared to treat protesters as enemies of the state.

Despite frequent air strikes, some residents in Tehran say daily life continues, though under constant tension. A 70-year-old resident said people were trying to adapt to the situation while hoping the conflict would not worsen.

The war began after coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has reportedly been named his successor, though he has not appeared publicly since the attack.

Iran’s health ministry said earlier this week that more than 1,200 people have been killed and over 10,000 civilians injured in the strikes carried out by U.S. and Israeli forces since the start of the war.