(Photo: AFP)TEHRAN - Israel launched a wave of strikes on Tehran and Beirut on Tuesday while attacks in Baghdad drew neighbouring Iraq deeper into the Middle East war that has sparked economic turmoil across the globe. The war, now in its third week, has killed hundreds and quickly spread to include Iranian strikes on Gulf nations as well Israeli bombardment of Lebanon. Lebanese state media reported on Tuesday that Israeli strikes at dawn hit a residential building in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a stronghold of the pro-Iranian armed group Hezbollah. Global oil prices have surged more than 40% since the US and Israel began their strike abd the impact has been felt globally. More than 1,200 Iranians have been killed by US and Israeli strikes, according to the last toll from Iran’s health ministry on March 8, which could not be independently verified.

Source: Bangkok Post March 17, 2026 07:42 UTC