Drone downing, retaliatory attacks and Israel’s advance in southern Lebanon deepen fears of a wider Middle East conflict and threaten global oil routes.

The standoff between the United States and Iran intensified on Monday, with both sides exchanging fresh strikes amid a fragile and faltering ceasefire.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it targeted an air base linked to a recent US strike on a telecommunications tower on Sirik Island. The claim followed Washington’s confirmation that it carried out what it described as “self-defence strikes” over the weekend, hitting Iranian radar and drone control facilities in response to what it called “aggressive” actions by Tehran.

In a further escalation, US Central Command disclosed that Iran had shot down an MQ-1 drone flying over international waters, marking a significant flashpoint in the rapidly deteriorating situation.

The renewed hostilities come after both nations failed to finalise an agreement to extend their uneasy ceasefire and reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil shipments.

Tensions are also rising sharply in Lebanon, where Israel has expanded its military operations against Hezbollah. Israeli forces reportedly captured the historic Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon and long regarded as a strategic asset.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to press ahead with operations targeting Hezbollah, while Lebanese authorities have accused Israel of implementing a “scorched-earth” campaign in the south.

The escalating conflict is fuelling global concern, particularly over energy security, as instability around the Strait of Hormuz threatens oil supply chains worldwide.

Despite the surge in violence, diplomatic channels between Washington and Tehran remain open. However, hopes for a durable agreement appear increasingly uncertain as the crisis deepens across the Middle East.