Washington, United States. Israel struck Iran and Beirut on Saturday as the United States sent thousands more Marines to the Middle East and President Donald Trump accused NATO allies of cowardice over reluctance to help open the Strait of Hormuz.
More than 2,000 people have been killed since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, as the conflict entered its fourth week.
Strikes in Beirut and Iran
Israel said it was attacking Hezbollah in the Lebanese capital on Saturday as it stepped up airstrikes targeting the Iran-backed militia, in what it described as the deadliest spillover from the war on Iran since Hezbollah fired on Israel in support of Tehran on March 2.
Israel also launched new attacks on Iran on Saturday, including on the capital Tehran, its military said.
Energy infrastructure and economic impact
Vital energy infrastructure in Iran and neighbouring Gulf states has been attacked, and oil prices have jumped 50% since the war began, raising concerns about global economic shock.
In the United States, United Airlines UAL.O said it would cut its scheduled flights by 5% in the second and third quarters, planning for prolonged higher oil prices.
Strait of Hormuz and allied positions
The Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, has been effectively closed to most shipping since the United States and Israel launched the war against Iran.
Trump on Friday called U.S. allies “cowards” for declining to help open the strait while fighting continued.
Several allies, who were not consulted before the war, have pledged to join “appropriate efforts” to ensure safe passage through the strait, but Germany and France have said fighting must stop first. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he would speak to Trump this weekend.
How do you think the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could affect global energy prices in the coming weeks?
