Iran Warns Diaspora Over Israel Links as War Escalates

The conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States continues to intensify, with Tehran announcing new penalties against Iranians living abroad who cooperate with what it called “enemy states.”

According to Iran’s judiciary, citizens outside the country who align with Israel or the United States could face confiscation of property and additional legal penalties.

Officials said the move is aimed at individuals in the Iranian diaspora accused of supporting military or political efforts against Tehran.

Israel Expands Military Campaign

Meanwhile, Israeli forces said they carried out another wave of strikes across Iran, targeting missile launch facilities, security infrastructure, and military command centers.

Among the locations hit were facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including sites in the city of Isfahan.

The Israeli military described the strikes as part of a broader effort to weaken Iran’s military capabilities and disrupt missile operations that it claims threaten Israeli territory.

The conflict, which began after coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on February 28, has since expanded into a multi-country confrontation across the Middle East.

Bahrain Oil Refinery Hit

The regional fallout has also affected Gulf nations.

Authorities in Bahrain confirmed that an Iranian drone attack struck the country’s main oil refinery operated by BAPCO, prompting the company to declare force majeure.

Witnesses reported thick smoke rising from the refinery complex following the strike. Officials said the attack caused injuries and damage in the nearby Sitra area.

New Leadership in Tehran

Amid the escalating conflict, Iran announced that Mojtaba Khamenei had been appointed the country’s new Supreme Leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in earlier strikes.

Pro-Iran factions in Iraq welcomed the appointment, describing it as a continuation of the Islamic Republic’s leadership during wartime.

Global Concerns and Market Impact

The widening conflict has already spread across several countries, including Lebanon, where Israeli strikes reportedly killed and injured several people.

Energy markets and global trade have also been affected, with oil prices surging above $100 per barrel, triggering sharp declines in stock markets worldwide.

The rapidly escalating confrontation has raised fears that the conflict could evolve into a larger regional war involving multiple global powers.