Both sides in Iran war ratchet up attacks as oil prices surge

PBS NewsHour
by Jon Gambrell, Associated Press
March 18, 2026
4 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Israel killed Iran's intelligence minister and struck its offshore gas field as both sides escalate attacks on energy infrastructure.

How This Affects You

Oil price surges from regional energy infrastructure attacks will raise fuel and heating costs for American consumers and businesses.

AI Summary

Israel killed Iran's intelligence minister on Wednesday in an ongoing campaign targeting senior Iranian officials, while an Iranian offshore natural gas field was also struck—signaling an escalation in direct attacks on both nations' energy infrastructure. The dual strikes reflect a widening conflict that extends beyond military targets to economic ones, with both sides now explicitly threatening the region's oil and gas production. Oil prices have surged as markets react to the threat of sustained disruption to Middle Eastern energy supplies, a critical concern for global markets dependent on the region's petroleum exports. The targeting of energy infrastructure marks a significant shift in the conflict's scope, moving from personnel strikes to systematic pressure on the economic foundations that support regional economies. The strikes suggest the conflict is intensifying rather than de-escalating, with each side attempting to impose costs through both military and economic means.

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