US strikes Iran again as Tehran hits Gulf states — and the oil shock reaches Belgium

The United States carried out fresh airstrikes on Iran overnight, with deaths reported and the American military releasing footage of strikes on military targets, according to Het Laatste Nieuws and Le Soir. It marked a sharp re-escalation after the collapse of a fragile ceasefire that had followed Washington's decision to walk back an earlier agreement with Tehran.

Iran retaliated against the United States' Gulf allies. Explosions were reported in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, Al Jazeera and Het Laatste Nieuws reported, widening a conflict that until now had been fought mainly between Washington and Tehran. President Trump warned that the escalation could become "far worse" and threatened further strikes, according to Euronews and Le Soir, while Het Laatste Nieuws cited assessments that the renewed hostilities could last "days or even weeks."

The economic shock was immediate. Brent crude climbed toward $79 a barrel, and ING's chief economist warned of further pressure on energy prices, Het Laatste Nieuws reported. The International Monetary Fund cut its 2026 global-growth forecast, explicitly citing fallout from the Iran war, according to Al Jazeera.

For Belgium, the exposure is direct. Higher crude prices feed through to pump and heating costs within weeks; the Port of Antwerp and the country's energy imports are sensitive to any disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint linking Gulf oil to world markets. Belgians living or travelling in the Gulf now face a more dangerous security environment.

Diplomatically, Belgium is anchored in NATO's response. Prime Minister Bart De Wever and President Trump spoke of "enormous unity" at a NATO summit, Het Laatste Nieuws reported, placing Brussels inside the alliance's handling of the crisis even as the economic costs land at home.

This is a developing story compiled from international and Belgian wire reports; details are being confirmed and will be updated.