The conflict in West Asia has entered a dangerous new phase, with US President Donald Trump issuing a direct military threat to Iran and global energy markets reeling from disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump warned that the US would “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power plants if Tehran fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.
Military exchanges between Israel and Iran continue to escalate, with Israel reportedly striking the South Pars gas field and Iran retaliating with attacks on a major LNG facility in Qatar.
Iran also launched missile strikes targeting southern Israel, including the city of Dimona, linked to a nuclear research facility, causing dozens of injuries and damage to residential buildings in Arad.
The US has temporarily allowed the sale of Iranian oil already loaded onto tankers, which could bring nearly 150 million barrels of oil into the market and help soften crude prices.
The US Central Command reiterated that its objective remains to curb Iran’s ability to project military power in the region, while Iran’s IRGC Aerospace Force chief claimed that Iran now “dominates the skies” over Israeli territory.
