People walk near farmland by the Zubair oil field as gas flares rise in the distance, in Zubair Mishrif, Basra, Iraq, amid regional tensions following the recent disruption to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. (REUTERS)

US-Israel vs Iran War News Live Updates: The Middle East has entered its most perilous chapter yet as a direct conflict between Israel and Iran spiralled into a regional energy war on Wednesday (Day 12 of the conflict), March 11, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively choked and oil infrastructure under fire, the global economy is bracing for a massive shockwave.

Day 12 of Iran war: Here are the latest developments

• Energy crisis in the Strait: A projectile has struck a container ship off the coast of Oman, forcing its crew to abandon the burning vessel. Tehran has effectively halted cargo traffic through the world’s most vital oil transit point, sending Brent crude prices soaring 20% since the start of hostilities.
• Gulf under fire: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE report a massive wave of Iranian drone and ballistic missile attacks. While Riyadh said it intercepted strikes targeting the Shaybah oil field and Prince Sultan Air Base, the UAE and Bahrain have reported civilian casualties from previous rounds of fire.
• Israel pounds Beirut: Israeli jets have launched a “new wave” of heavy strikes on the Lebanese capital and southern regions. A multi-story building in central Beirut’s Aicha Bakkar district was engulfed in flames this morning. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports the death toll has climbed to nearly 500 since Hezbollah entered the fray.
• The ‘invisible’ leader: Intense speculation surrounds the fate of Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. The 56-year-old—who took power Monday after his father was killed in an Israeli strike—has not been seen in public, amid unconfirmed reports that he may have been injured. Later on Tuesday, a ​senior Israeli official confirmed that Mojtaba ​was ​”lightly wounded”. ​
• Diplomatic showdown: The UN Security Council is set to vote later today on a resolution demanding Iran cease attacks on its neighbours. It marks the first major diplomatic test for the council since the war began on February 28.
• Mass exodus: Tens of thousands of foreign nationals are fleeing the Gulf. The UK and US have confirmed that over 85,000 of their citizens have already evacuated the region as the death toll across Iran, Lebanon, and Israel continues to rise.

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