US-Israeli forces launched a fresh airstrike on Iran on Friday, prompting Tehran to retaliate with drones and missiles against multiple Gulf neighbors. Financial markets reacted sharply: Brent crude surged above $106 in early Asian trading, up more than 6% in 24 hours; Bitcoin dipped to $65,500 overnight before recovering to $66,185.
US equity markets also took a hit on Friday: the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.73%, the S&P 500 lost 1.67%, the Nasdaq dropped 2.15%, and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index declined 1.69%.
Targets: Nuclear Sites, Heavy Water Reactor, Two Largest Steel Plants
Iranian state media confirmed multiple facilities were struck: a heavy water research reactor at the Arak nuclear complex, a nuclear fuel processing plant in Yazd province, and the country's two largest steel plants. The Arak heavy water reactor has long been considered a key node in Iran's potential nuclear weapons program. This follows a March 21 attack on the Natanz nuclear facility, marking another heavy blow to Iran's nuclear infrastructure.
Iran Retaliates: Kuwait, Doha, Tel Aviv Hit
Tehran's retaliation was nearly immediate, spanning the Persian Gulf. Iran launched waves of drones and missiles at several neighboring countries, damaging two Kuwaiti ports and triggering missile alerts in Doha. In Israel, a missile attack on Tel Aviv on Friday night killed one person.
According to reports from The Wall Street Journal and Associated Press, a US military base in Saudi Arabia was also hit, leaving several US service members injured. Iranian authorities threatened further strikes on steel plants across Israel and the Gulf region.
Trump: '3,554 Targets Remain,' Pentagon Weighs Sending 10,000 More Troops
President Trump told reporters in Miami on Friday: “They (Iran) are talking. They want to make a deal. Iran is beaten.” In a separate appearance, he added: “We have 3,554 targets left. They'll be taken care of soon.”
Meanwhile, reports emerged that the Pentagon is considering deploying up to 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East, joining 5,000 Marines and 1,000 paratroopers already on the ground. Secretary of State Rubio said the US “does not need ground forces to achieve all objectives” but stressed keeping all options open.
Notably, a Yemeni Houthi spokesperson warned that if any country joins the US-Israeli coalition or the Red Sea is used against Iran, they are prepared for direct military intervention.