Trump plotting new escalation in war, says Iran
Trump plotting new escalation in war, says Iran Source link
All posts tagged: escalation
Fearing Iranian Escalation In Red Sea, Saudis Push Trump To Call Off Hormuz Blockade
Wary of Iranian escalation that shuts down Red Sea traffic, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is asking the Trump administration to back off from its newly-implemented blockade of Iranian-linked shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday evening. On Sunday, a senior advisor to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that Iran has “large, untouched levers” to respond to such a blockade. Perhaps ominously, Bab el-Mandeb translates to “Gate of Tears” (map via Time) Earlier on Monday — at 10am ET — the US blockade took effect, backed up by more than 15 Navy ships, including some equipped to dispatch helicopter-borne commandeering squads. The ships were expected to position themselves outside the Strait of Hormuz, for fear of Iranian attacks. Their mission: Prohibiting any maritime traffic from approaching or departing from Iranian ports, regardless of how the ships are flagged. Shortly before the blockade’s commencement, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre issued a notice advising that “maritime access restrictions are being enforced affecting Iranian ports and coastal areas, including locations along the …
Trump’s threat to blockade Hormuz: Why it’s the latest major escalation | US-Israel war on Iran News
United States President Donald Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after talks in Islamabad between Washington and Tehran ended without a deal is a substantial escalation in the war on Iran, analysts say. In a social media post on Sunday, Trump said the US Navy “will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz”. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list The blockade began at 10am Washington, DC, time (14:00 GMT) on Monday. Trump’s comments have raised concerns about the status of the two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran announced last week. Chris Featherstone, a political scientist at the University of York, told Al Jazeera that Trump’s threat to blockade the Strait of Hormuz is “absolutely an escalation” in the US and Israel’s war on Iran. “Trump is using the threat of the blockade as a tool in the negotiations with Iran. Trump has said Iran holds no cards, and this attempt to leverage a blockade on Iran would constitute an attempt …
Trump’s Iran Escalation Would Increase Death And Chaos Across The Middle East
The economic pain at home and civilian death in the Middle East wrought by President Donald Trump’s war on Iran could hit new levels in the coming days if he follows through on an oft-repeated threat to destroy Iran’s entire electrical infrastructure. Trump says an attack, which would almost certainly be a war crime, will come if Iran does not agree to a “deal” by Tuesday night. That country’s leaders will likely hit back in kind against Gulf states that are helping the United States, according to military and Iran experts. “Iran’s only retaliatory capability is to target America’s immediate allies in the Gulf, and Israel, if possible,” said Ray Takeyh of the Council on Foreign Relations. Iran has, since the war began, struck military targets used by US forces in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It has also targeted civilian infrastructure, but attacks on its own civilian infrastructure are likely to prompt further escalation. One especially life-threatening possibility is attacks on the Gulf states’ water desalination plants, which are …
Latam Currencies Gain as Markets Balance Iran Escalation and Ceasefire Chances
April 6 (Reuters) – Most Latin American currencies advanced on Monday, while stocks were mixed after reports of progress on a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran helped revive risk appetite worldwide as traders returned after a long weekend break. A framework to end hostilities has been put together by Pakistan and exchanged with Iran and the U.S. overnight, a source aware of the proposals told Reuters. However, some of the risk appetite tapered off after Iran’s official IRNA news agency said Iran conveyed its response to the proposal and is rejecting a ceasefire and emphasizing the necessity of a permanent end to the war. Trump is also set to speak about the ceasefire proposal at a press conference at 1 p.m. ET (1800 GMT), a White House official told Reuters. He has said the Tuesday deadline he has set for Iran to make a deal is final. “Geopolitical tensions around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz are driving energy supply disruptions, market volatility and urgent diplomatic efforts, with ceasefire talks offering limited near-term clarity,” said …
Water wars: the final escalation?
Donald Trump’s threats against Iranian water infrastructure could have catastrophic consequences for the Gulf Source link
Iran targets NATO country in horrifying WW3 escalation | World | News
NATO has shot down a missile after it was fired by Iran into Turkey. It was confirmed by Turkish defence ministry officials that the missile had entered the country’s airspace on Monday before it was struck down by Nato air defences deployed in the eastern Mediterranean. During the Middle East conflict, three earlier interceptions have been carried out by Nato systems, prompting Ankara to protest and warn Tehran. NATO’s spokesperson said the alliance intercepted the Iranian missile heading towards its member country Turkey, adding that it was “prepared for such threats and will always do what is necessary to defend all Allies”. The latest strike comes after US president Trump threatened to destroy Iran’s power and desalination plants and oil wells unless a deal is reached ‘immediately’ to open the Strait of Hormuz. He wrote on his Truth Social patforms that the US is in ‘serious discussions’ with a ‘more reasonable regime’ to end the war however unless an agreement is made he will take action. Iran continue to deny that there have been any …
Dollar near 10‑month high on Middle East escalation concerns
March 30 : The dollar was near a 10‑month high on Monday and heading for its biggest monthly gain since last July as mixed signals from Iran and the United States dimmed hopes of a possible quick end to the Middle East conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran’s new leaders have been “very reasonable”, as more U.S troops arrived in the region and Tehran warned it will not accept humiliation. The yen hovered near the key 160 per‑dollar level, after hitting its weakest since July 2024 when Tokyo last intervened to shore up the currency, while the euro found some support from expectations of European Central Bank rate hikes. Markets have been rattled this month after the Iran conflict effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about a fifth of global oil and gas flows, driving Brent crude toward a record monthly rise. The dollar has benefited from its safe‑haven status since early March, with higher oil prices hurting Japan and the euro zone but insulating the United States as a net …
Iran-backed Houthis join Mideast war in sharp escalation – POLITICO
Iran, meanwhile, fired six ballistic missiles and 29 drones at Prince Sultan Air Base, injuring at least 15 U.S. troops, several of them seriously, the Associated Press reported, citing two people briefed on the incident. The base — located roughly 96 kilometers from Riyadh and operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force with a U.S. presence — had already been targeted twice earlier this week. A previous strike wounded 14 American personnel, officials said, bringing the total number of injured U.S. troops at the facility to more than two dozen in recent days. The attacks mark one of the most direct escalations against American forces since hostilities erupted late last month, underscoring the growing risk of a broader regional confrontation. Washington is sending additional forces into the region, while European capitals are stepping up efforts to contain the economic and security fallout. In a video statement on Saturday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the rebels’ attacks targeted “sensitive Israeli military positions” and came after continued targeting of infrastructure in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and the …
Iran-backed Houthis fire missile at Israel from Yemen, risking further escalation
The Yemen-based Houthi militant group claimed responsibility for an attack on Israel on Saturday, marking the Iran-backed group’s entry into the widening conflict in the Middle East, one that could further disrupt the region’s vital shipping lanes. The Houthis “have carried out their first military operation with a batch of ballistic missiles, which targeted sensitive military targets” of Israel, the group’s armed forces said on Telegram Saturday, citing “continued military escalation” against Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian territories. “This operation coincided with the heroic operations carried out by the brothers, the fighters in Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the operation successfully achieved its goals,” the Iran-backed group added. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed a missile launch from Yemen toward Israel, adding that aerial defense systems were operating to intercept the threat. It later gave the all-clear to sheltering civilians. FORSUBSCRIBERS While such strikes may have limited direct military impact, the Houthis carry the potential to trigger broader disruption, particularly in the Red Sea, a critical artery for global trade. Global shipping and oil …