Kathmandu. The ongoing war between the US and Iran has intensified tensions in the Middle East. Recent developments have seen an escalation of US airstrikes, a strong retaliatory warning from Iran, maritime activities by the Houthi rebels, an activation of Kuwait’s air defenses, and a sharp increase in oil prices.

The U.S. military said it had carried out airstrikes on Iranian military targets for the 12th consecutive night. According to US Central Command, the attack campaign is continuing. Iran’s state media said the cities of Ramsir and Ahvaz in the southwest and the Gulf-coast province of Bushehr were among the targets of US missile strikes.

Meanwhile, the US Energy Department has announced that it has reached a historic agreement with Saudi Arabia on civil nuclear cooperation. The agreement would lay the groundwork for Saudi Arabia’s development of a civilian nuclear program. The U.S. says the deal includes safeguards to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Kuwait’s military said its air defense system had intercepted enemy drones on Thursday morning after the Iranian attack. The military said the explosions were caused by the downing of drones.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has threatened to give a “strong and decisive response” to any US attack on Iranian infrastructure. His comments came after the US threatened to destroy Iran’s bridges or power stations in retaliation for every ship attack on the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi said Iran’s defence doctrine was “Attack as Resistance”.