Zamir says new phase will target regime’s foundations; cluster warhead fired at central Israel in late night attack. The US military is confident in its operational plan against Iran, the top US commander for the Middle East said Thursday, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to “dramatically” increase attacks on the Iranian regime.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Adm. Brad Cooper said American forces anticipated Iran’s capabilities and built their strategy accordingly.

“We’re very familiar with Iran’s capabilities, and as you might imagine, we plan for it right from the outset,” Cooper told Al Arabiya English. “And I feel good about what the plan was.”

Cooper added that US forces continue to adapt as the battlefield evolves. “Like any good organization, we adjust as necessary to meet the environment, and we’ve made those appropriate adjustments,

The U.S. has spared “no expense or capability” to enhance air defense systems to protect American forces and allies in the Middle East, Hegseth told reporters at the Pentagon days after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in a war that has widened throughout the region.

“This does not mean we can stop everything, but we ensured that the maximum possible defense and maximum possible force protection was set up before we went on offense,” he said.

Iranian and Israeli strikes as war enters seventh day

Oil prices rose today, extending a rally as the escalating US-Israeli war with Iran disrupted supplies and shipping, prompting some major producers to cut output and others to take measures to ensure supply security.

Brent crude was up $1.72, or 2.1%, at $83.12 per barrel this morning – a fifth session of gains. US West Texas Intermediate crude rose $1.95, or 2.6%, to $76.61.

Oil markets are tightening, with the Chinese government telling the largest oil refiners to suspend exports of diesel and gasoline, said PVM analyst John Evans.

Two oil refineries in China and India shut their crude units following the disruption to supplies, as both countries rely on Middle East crude imports.

As a result of a lower supply outlook in fuel markets, European diesel futures reached their highest level since October 2022 at $1,130.

Crude oil markets remained on edge as they face ongoing risks to supply following the attacks in the Middle East, with concerns centred on trade flows through the Strait of Hormuz, ANZ analysts said in a note today.

Attacks on oil tankers continued today, as the Bahamas-flagged crude oil tanker Sonangol Namibe reported its hull was breached after a blast near Iraq’s Khor al Zubair port.

Around 300 oil tankers remained inside the Strait as vessel traffic in and out of the chokepoint nearly halted following the outbreak of war, according to ship tracking data from Vortexa and Kpler that excludes some of the smallest tankers.