TEHRAN / WASHINGTON, March 8, 2026 (WNP): An Iranian oil storage depot was struck during a series of U.S.–Israeli airstrikes on Iran, triggering large fires and escalating tensions in the already volatile Middle East conflict. The attack comes as hostilities between Iran and its adversaries enter their second week.

According to regional media reports and security officials, warplanes targeted oil storage facilities and related infrastructure, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky and causing major blazes in parts of the Iranian capital and surrounding areas.

The strikes are part of a broader military campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iranian military and strategic infrastructure, which began in late February. Officials from Washington and Tel Aviv say the operations are intended to weaken Iran’s military capabilities and address concerns over its missile and nuclear programs.

Iranian authorities condemned the attacks as a violation of international law and warned that Tehran reserves the right to respond. Iranian leaders have already carried out retaliatory missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. and Israeli interests as well as military sites across the region.

The escalation has raised fears of a wider regional war, with attacks and counter-attacks reported in several countries across the Gulf and the eastern Mediterranean. Infrastructure, including energy facilities and desalination plants, has increasingly become part of the expanding conflict.

Since the conflict erupted, thousands of casualties have been reported across the region, and major cities have experienced repeated air-raid alerts and missile strikes. Diplomatic efforts by global and regional powers are continuing in an attempt to halt the fighting and prevent further escalation.

Security analysts warn that attacks on oil depots and energy infrastructure could have significant implications for global energy markets, shipping routes, and regional stability if the conflict continues to intensify.