Israel’s military reported detecting missiles fired from Iran on Wednesday, prompting air defence sirens and audible explosions over Jerusalem as the US-Israeli confrontation with Tehran entered its 13th day.
Sirens blared across parts of the city shortly after the military announced the incoming projectiles, with residents reporting loud blasts as interceptors engaged the threats.
The incident coincided with intensified fighting near the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian explosive-laden boats allegedly attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters, setting them ablaze and killing one crew member. Projectiles also struck three other vessels in Gulf shipping lanes.
Iranian officials warned that sustained US-Israeli pressure could spark a prolonged conflict capable of “destroying” the global economy.
In response to the mounting energy disruptions, the administration of US President Donald Trump announced plans to release 172 million barrels from the country’s strategic oil reserves.
Trump said in an interview: “We’ll do that, and then we’ll fit it up. I filled it up once, and I’ll fill it up again. Right now we’ll reduce it a little bit, and that brings the prices down.”
Energy Secretary Chris Wright added: “This is to tide the world over while these flows are restricted by Iran. But ultimately the United States military will prevail.”
He expressed hope for a quick return to normal shipping: “Hopefully in the next few weeks we will start to see ship traffic returning to the Strait of Hormuz.”
No immediate casualties were reported from the Jerusalem alerts, but the developments have heightened fears of wider regional spillover.
