The death toll in the Middle East has risen to 2,192 as the conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran enters its 15th day. The escalating tensions, marked by attacks on U.S. Military personnel in Iraq by Iran-backed militias, are raising concerns about a wider regional war and impacting global energy markets.
The conflict has significantly impacted the oil industry, and the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz – a critical waterway for global oil transport – has pushed Brent crude oil prices above USD 100 a barrel, whereas West Texas Intermediate (WTI), a benchmark for Ecuador, reached USD 98. The situation underscores the vulnerability of global energy supplies to geopolitical instability.
U.S. Urges citizens to leave Iraq “immediately”
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued a statement on Saturday urging American citizens in Iraq to depart the country as soon as possible due to the risk of Iranian attacks.
“Iran and affiliated terror militias represent a serious threat to public safety in Iraq. Attacks have occurred against U.S. Citizens, U.S. Interests, and critical infrastructure,” the embassy website warned as the two-week mark of the offensive was reached.
The embassy also stated that “hotels frequented by foreigners and other facilities with ties to the United States” have been targeted, adding that Americans also face a risk of kidnapping.
the United States “strongly recommends that U.S. Citizens in Iraq review their personal security situation. For many, departing Iraq as soon as possible is the best option.”
Iran attacks Citibank branches in the Gulf in retaliation for attacks on its banks
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attacked branches of U.S.-based Citibank in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Manama (Bahrain) with drones in response to what it called “enemy aggression” against two Iranian banks, the Tasnim news agency reported on Saturday.
IRGC spokesperson, Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, warned that if the “enemy” repeats this action, all branches of U.S. Banks in the region would be considered “legitimate targets.”
On Wednesday, Iranian armed forces accused the U.S. And Israel of attacking an Iranian bank “after failing to achieve their military objectives,” stating that this gives Tehran “a green light” to respond “painfully” against their economic centers throughout the Middle East.
The IRGC also urged people in the Middle East to stay at least one kilometer away from U.S. Or Israeli banks.
The commander of the IRGC Navy, General Alireza Tangsiri, affirmed on Saturday that his forces had attacked “key targets” in three U.S. Air bases located in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar in several successive waves.
🚨Notable development likely to impact financial markets: Iran’s IRGC says it struck Citibank offices in Dubai and Manama, calling it retaliation for a recent U.S. Strike on Na’ami Bank. pic.twitter.com/XZ8vl0WSQS
— Ramy Abdu| رامي عبده (@RamAbdu) March 14, 2026
Trump asks other countries to send naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday urged other countries to send ships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic point for global oil supply that has been affected by the war in the Middle East.
The president, who had announced that the United States would soon begin escorting tankers through the strait, posted on Truth Social: “Many countries, especially those affected by Iran’s attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz, will send warships, along with the United States, to keep the strait open and safe.”
He added that it was expected that China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and others, which are affected by this artificial restriction, would send ships to the area.
Israel ordered urgent evacuation for residents of Beirut
The Israeli army on March 14 ordered the urgent evacuation of residents of various peripheral areas of Dahye (south of Beirut), a historic stronghold of the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, ahead of upcoming attacks against these areas.
The warning was directed to residents of Haret Hreik, Al Ghubairi, Lila, Burj al-Barajneh, Al Ghadir and Al Shayyah, who were urged to “not return to these neighborhoods until further notice.”
Israel also ordered the evacuation of residents of the Lebanese municipality of Al Abasiya, in the district of Tyre, ahead of imminent attacks that its army was going to carry out against alleged Hezbollah infrastructure on Friday.
Israeli attacks against Lebanon have occurred daily for more than a week as part of the conflict unleashed by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, which led the Shiite Lebanese group Hezbollah to resume an offensive against northern Israel.
The death toll from the campaign of Israeli attacks rose to 773 on Friday, while the number of wounded since the start of the attacks twelve days ago has reached 1,933.
U.S. Oil reserves to reach the market in the coming days
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it will begin releasing oil from its strategic reserve at the end of next week, with an initial phase of 86 million barrels of crude oil.
In a statement, the DOE noted that it has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a crude oil exchange from the strategic reserve with companies after announcing on Wednesday that it would release 172 million barrels of oil.
This measure aims to address the rise in crude oil prices due to the war in the Middle East and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Strategic petroleum reserve currently holds about 415 million barrels.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) also decided on Wednesday to gradually release 400 million barrels of crude oil to the market.
Iran threatens to attack oil facilities linked to the United States
The Iranian army promised to reduce “to ashes” energy facilities linked to the United States in the Middle East, in response to President Donald Trump, who threatened to attack Iran’s oil infrastructure on Kharg Island.
“All oil, economic and energy facilities belonging to oil companies in the region that are partly owned by the United States or cooperate with the United States will be immediately destroyed and reduced to ashes,” announced a spokesman for the Khatam al Anbiya central headquarters, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, quoted by state media.
Smoke over the U.S. Embassy in Iraq
The AFP news agency reports an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq, with smoke visible, according to its reporters and a security source.
In the last two days, Iraqi militias backed by Iran have claimed responsibility for attacks on U.S. Military installations, and the downing of a U.S. Tanker plane in which six crew members were traveling.
The U.S. Military maintains that the plane was not shot down by enemy or friendly fire but crashed.
Iraqi officials told the AP news agency that a missile hit the embassy’s helipad.
