2 U.S. planes are down and Iran hits Gulf refineries as the war wraps its 5th week

The fifth week of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran concluded with the downing of two U.S. fighter jets, one over Iran and another near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran retaliated by launching drone and missile attacks that hit Kuwait's largest oil refinery and caused a fire at a gas facility in the UAE, while also intercepting drones and missiles over Saudi Arabia. In response to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, over 40 countries convened to discuss diplomatic and economic measures, though no specific actions were agreed upon. President Trump reiterated his intention to open the strait, suggesting it could be profitable. Meanwhile, U.S. airstrikes destroyed one of Iran's largest bridges, with the death toll rising to 13, and Iran threatened retaliation against Gulf bridges. Concerns were raised about potential U.S. war crimes due to threats to strike civilian infrastructure if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In the Holy Land, Holy Week celebrations were conducted under wartime restrictions, with limited access to religious sites in Jerusalem. An investigative report by Bellingcat suggested that the UAE may have downplayed or mischaracterized Iranian attacks on its territory. The conflict has also led to a nearly 8% increase in Brent crude oil prices, impacting global energy and fertilizer costs.