Khaberni - The British Financial Times reported that Iran is implementing a detailed plan crafted by the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, aimed at expanding the scope of the war regionally through striking targets in the region and energy facilities, and creating disruption in the global markets in response to the American-Israeli attack.
The newspaper quoted an informed source inside the Iranian regime saying, "We had no choice but to escalate and start a large fire for everyone to see when our red lines were crossed in violation of all international laws, and we could no longer adhere to the rules of the game."
The source confirmed that the escalation and attacks on countries in the region will continue, adding, "What did they expect if the head of the Islamic Republic were targeted? Do they think nothing would happen?"
According to Financial Times, the plan that was put in place after the 12-day war in June last year includes spreading chaos through attacks on energy facilities, and strikes capable of causing disruptions in the region's aviation movement.
Direct Economic Impacts
The global markets experienced increasing disturbances as the war entered its fourth day, as the reciprocal air strikes affected oil and gas supplies, and disrupted navigation in the vital Strait of Hormuz, directly impacting energy prices, financial markets, and air travel.
Yesterday, Monday, Iranian drones targeted a vital gas facility in Qatar, as well as one of the largest refineries in Saudi Arabia.
This led to Qatar, one of the world's largest suppliers of liquefied natural gas, halting supplies, while oil and gas prices surged with the slow navigation through the Strait of Hormuz until it virtually stopped.
Also, Iranian drones targeted hotels, airports, and ports in countries including the UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, and Bahrain, and launched a barrage of missiles and drones at American bases across the region.
The aviation sector received the first wave of economic impacts, and according to Reuters, the disruption of global air traffic continued yesterday, Monday, with major airports shut down for the third consecutive day, leading to tens of thousands being stranded and thousands of flights being disrupted.
More than 5400 flights were canceled on Sunday and Monday at 7 major airports in the Arabian Gulf, with ongoing closures and restrictions imposed on several airspaces for security reasons, according to navigational data from the "Flight Radar" platform.
Existential Threat
These tactics, according to the British newspaper, reflect the lessons of the mid-year war last year, when Iran was deeply shocked by Israel’s intelligence penetration and its ability to assassinate top Iranian military leaders in the early hours, this time seeking quick revenge after the killing of Khamenei and top Iranian officials.
Regarding the differences between the current and the previous war on Iran, the source quoted by the newspaper said, "The leadership came from higher levels" during the June 2025 war, while now "the forces on the ground already know what they are supposed to do, with full coordination remaining with the command center."
The newspaper stated that the Iranian attacks came in response to what Tehran considers an existential battle, noting that in the 12-day war, the regime limited its response to striking Israel and one attack on an American base in Qatar, after the United States had bombed its nuclear sites.
This time, the newspaper continued, Iran launched several drones and missiles at the Emirates, matching or exceeding what was launched at Israel, resulting in the death of three people.
Financial Times quoted the Iranian source saying that the response to the American-Israeli war, including targeting locations such as hotels in Dubai, "makes any site hosting Americans unsafe, and no one would want to stay there," adding that Iran's neighbors in the Gulf states now face "higher investment risks."
Since Saturday morning, Israel and the United States have launched a military assault on Iran, resulting in the death of the leader Ali Khamenei and prominent security and military officials as well as civilians. Iran has responded by launching volleys of rockets and drones toward Israel and American bases in Gulf states, some of which have caused damage to civilian facilities, including airports, ports, and various buildings.
