Share this
EXCLUSIVE: War Enters Day 12 as Iran Launches ‘Most Intense’ Barrage; Gulf Civilian Casualties Mount
Drones fall near Dubai International Airport, multiple cargo vessels are struck in the Strait of Hormuz, and the US destroys Iranian minelayers as Tehran ignores ceasefire calls and global energy markets spiral.
By [Harris khan], Senior Correspondent for Geopolitical and Defence Affairs, Dusk News
Published: March 11, 2026
Iran launches its heaviest missile and drone barrage of the war on Day 12, injuring civilians near Dubai airport and hitting ships in the Strait of Hormuz as the US targets Iranian minelayers.
ISLAMABAD / DUBAI: The red lines in the Middle East are being erased by the hour. On the twelfth day of the open conflict triggered by the US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Tehran has responded with what it calls its “most intense and heaviest” barrage yet. For the first time, the war’s front line has extended directly into the heart of a major Gulf city, not just its strategic energy facilities.
Early Wednesday morning, two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) , one of the world’s busiest travel hubs. The attack injured four foreign nationals—two from Ghana, one from Bangladesh, and one from India. While Dubai authorities confirmed that air traffic continued to operate normally, the psychological impact is profound. The UAE, long viewed as a secure oasis and financial haven in a volatile region, has now seen its civilian infrastructure directly violated. This marks a significant escalation in Iran’s strategy to make the cost of the US-Israeli campaign unbearable for America’s Arab partners.
The Strait of Hormuz: A Maritime Battlefield
Simultaneously, the war at sea is intensifying dangerously. The Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important oil chokepoint through which nearly a fifth of global oil production passes, has become a free-fire zone. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a series of attacks on commercial vessels on Wednesday:
- A container ship was struck by an “unknown projectile” off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah
- A bulk carrier was hit off the coast of Dubai
- A third vessel, a cargo ship, was hit north of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, sparking a fire and forcing the crew to evacuate
In response, the US military has moved decisively to keep the waterway open. The Pentagon released footage of strikes against 16 Iranian minelaying vessels near the Strait. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on social media, stating, “If for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before.” The message is clear: Washington views any attempt to choke off oil flows as a fundamental red line that will invite overwhelming retaliation.
The “Most Intense” Barrage Yet
On land, the aerial war shows no signs of abating. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for a three-hour salvo targeting Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, as well as what it termed “West Jerusalem.” Sirens wailed across Israel as air defences activated, with AFP journalists reporting the sound of explosions in the distance.
The strikes were not limited to Israel. The IRGC also targeted the US Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain and “numerous US targets in Erbil” in Iraqi Kurdistan. In a significant development, Iranian media reported that missiles were also fired at Camp Arifjan, a US base located south of Kuwait City. Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry reported a busy night, intercepting a barrage of seven ballistic missiles aimed at its eastern region and the Prince Sultan Air Base, as well as downing numerous drones heading toward the crucial Shaybah oil field.
The Strategic Calculus: No Ceasefire in Sight
Despite the mounting destruction, diplomacy appears to be on life support. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s Parliament Speaker and a former senior IRGC commander, explicitly stated Tehran’s position on X (formerly Twitter): “Certainly we aren’t seeking a ceasefire. We believe the aggressor must be punished and taught a lesson that will deter them from attacking Iran again.”
This hardline stance is mirrored in Tehran’s domestic posture. Fearing that the external war could reignite the mass protests that challenged the regime just months ago, Iran’s national police chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan, issued a chilling warning to the population. He stated that protesters would no longer be viewed as demonstrators but as “enemies,” adding, “We will do to them what we do to an enemy. All our forces are also ready, with their hands on the trigger, prepared to defend their revolution.” This indicates the regime is prepared for a two-front conflict: one against external foes and another against internal dissent.
Global Shockwaves: Economics and Evacuations
The global economic fallout is intensifying. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed by the threat of attacks and insurance costs skyrocketing, oil prices have been swinging wildly, briefly topping $100 a barrel earlier this week. The disruption is having a cascading effect:
- Energy Security: The UAE’s major Ruwais refinery was temporarily closed after a drone attack, while Qatar’s LNG exports remain suspended.
- Global Response: G7 leaders are scheduled to hold a video conference to discuss the “energy situation,” and the International Energy Agency (IEA) is considering the largest-ever coordinated release of oil reserves to calm markets.
- Diplomatic Movement: Even India, which has maintained a delicate balance with both the US and Iran, saw External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hold his third conversation with his Iranian counterpart since the crisis began, as New Delhi scrambles to protect its energy supplies and the 3.5 million-strong Indian diaspora in the Gulf.
The human cost is also becoming starkly visible. Australia has closed its embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate in Dubai, evacuating over 3,200 citizens. Casualty figures continue to rise, with the Pentagon reporting approximately 140 US military personnel wounded since the start of the war, while independent monitors estimate total casualties across the region now exceed 1,200, including civilians.
What to Watch For
As Day 12 concludes, there is no light at the end of the tunnel. The conflict has metastasized from a strategic strike on leadership to a broad, multi-front war involving direct attacks on civilian infrastructure, commercial shipping, and military bases across the Gulf. With Tehran refusing a ceasefire and the US and Israel pressing their military advantage, the region is locked in a cycle of escalation that shows no sign of breaking.
Three key developments to monitor in the next 48 hours:
- Gulf Air Defence Depletion: How much longer can the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait sustain interceptor usage before their batteries run dry?
- Strait of Hormuz Closure: Will the US follow through on its warning and escalate further if commercial shipping remains under threat?
- European Response: With the G7 meeting scheduled, will the West present a unified front, or will cracks emerge between Washington and its traditional allies?
The key question now is not if the war will widen further, but what the global order looks like once it does.
Share this
Join Dusk on WhatsApp
Get the latest news, videos and blogs straight to your phone.
Join Now
Be First to Comment