"Plumes of thick smoke were seen over the skies of Baghdad on Saturday after a drone attack reportedly targeted the National Intelligence Service headquarters in Al-Mansour district, leaving one officer dead. National Intelligence Service confirmed that its vicinity was "targeted by a terrorist attack carried out by outlaw groups." Iraqi government's security media unit head General Saad Maan claimed that the drone strike was a 'targeted attack' on the headquarters, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA). Tensions flared in the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran on February 28, when diplomatic talks were taking place aimed at ‘undermining Iran's nuclear and missile programs". Tehran then announced retaliatory strikes on Israel and the US assets in the region, including Iraq. Explosions were reported in different Gulf countries. Later, Iran confirmed the killing of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was selected as his successor. The conflict spilled over into Lebanon as Hezbollah intervened 'in revenge' for the assassination of the Iranian Supreme Leader. The shipment routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, were disrupted following the closure of the Strait. The latest escalation has driven oil prices above $100 per barrel, rattling global energy markets and triggering protests in several countries. "