Washington/Tehran, March 4 -- On Day 5 of the US-Israel strikes on Iran, the conflict continued to widen, with Tel Aviv again trading strikes with both Iran and Lebanon. Lebanon has increasingly been drawn into the confrontation, raising fears of a broader regional war.
The escalating violence, coupled with the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has rattled global markets. Asian markets tumbled sharply in early Wednesday trading, with import-dependent economies bearing the brunt of the shock. Oil and natural gas prices surged as energy exports from the region faced severe disruption.
Amid the expanding hostilities, Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry said it intercepted and destroyed two cruise missiles near the central city of Al Kha...