Oil prices have surged and markets have see-sawed since the end of last month, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, killed its supreme leader and plunged the Middle East into war. Separately, the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree and a container ship were hit in the Gulf off the United Arab Emirates. Iran’s health ministry said on March 8 that more than 1,200 people had been killed in US and Israeli strikes, and more than 10,000 civilians injured. In Iraq, Iranian-linked groups said Tuesday that five of their fighters died in strikes they blamed on the United States. New Israeli strikes were reported in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday, with the health ministry saying another five people had been killed in the southern town of Qana.

Source: Bangkok Post March 11, 2026 15:07 UTC