Tehran, Iran. Leaders of Iran, Israel and the United States voiced defiance and vowed to fight on as the Middle East war approached the two-week mark on Friday, killing thousands, disrupting millions of lives and shaking financial markets.
Iran leader issues first comments
New Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first comments, read out by a television presenter on Thursday, vowing to keep the Strait of Hormuz shut and calling on neighboring countries to close U.S. bases on their territory or risk Iran targeting them.
“I assure everyone that we will not neglect avenging the blood of your martyrs,” Khamenei said. It was not clear why he did not appear in person.
Netanyahu holds first news conference since strikes began
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held his first news conference since the U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran started on February 28, taking questions via video-link and issuing a veiled threat to kill Khamenei while defending the military assault.
“I will not detail the actions we are taking. We are creating the optimal conditions for toppling the regime but I won’t deny that I can’t tell you with all certainty that the people of Iran will topple the regime – a regime is toppled from the inside,” Netanyahu said.
“But we can definitely help and we are helping,” he added.
Oil rises and stocks fall amid supply concerns
Oil prices rose about 9% to $100 a barrel on Thursday as the prospect of a severe disruption to global energy supplies enduring weighed on markets, helping drive down U.S. stocks.
The S&P 500 recorded its biggest three-day percentage drop in a month, and shares in Asia were also under pressure on Friday.
U.S. issues 30-day license related to Russian oil at sea
The United States on Thursday issued a 30-day license for countries to buy Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded at sea, in an effort to stabilize global energy markets.
“The temporary increase in oil prices is a short-term and temporary disruption that will result in a massive benefit to our nation and economy in the long-term,” Bessent said in a statement, echoing earlier comments from President Donald Trump.
What impact do you think continued disruptions in energy supplies could have on your local economy?