The United States has initiated its 13th consecuive night of airstrikes against Iran following Houthi attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. These escalations have shuttered critical shipping lanes and pushed global oil prices above $100 per barrel.
Brent crude's surge past $100 per barrel
The international benchmark Brent crude price jumped more than 6% on Thursday, reaching approximately $100 per barrel, according to the report. This price spike marks the highest level since May, effectively erasing the makret stability seen after a preliminary peace agreement between Washington and Tehran collapsed last month.
This volatility reflects a broader pattern of energy insecurity where geopolitical friction in the Middle East immediately translates to pump-price pressure globally. the market is reacting not just to the current strikes, but to the fragility of the diplomatic efforts that briefly cooled tensions in the preceding weeks.
The strategic chokehold on Bab el-Mandeb and Hormuz
The conflict has resulted in the closure of the Bab el-Mandeb strait and the Strait of Hormuz, the latter of which was shut down by Iran. as the source reports, the Strait of Hormuz typically handles one-fifth of the world's traded oil and gas during peacetime, making its closure a systemic threat to the global economy.
Military activity has expanded beyond the shipping lanes into Iranian territory. State media in Iran reported explosions in Bandar Abbas and Qeshm along the strait, as well as strikes near Andimeshk and Omidiyeh to the northwest.. These targets suggest a US strategy aimed at degrading the infrastructure used to project power over regional waters.
Trump's warning following the 13th night of airstrikes
President Donald Trump has explicitly linked the Houthi rebels in Yemen to the Iranian government, stating on social media that the Houthis are an "instrument or a representative of Iran." Trump warned that continued attacks would result in "important military punishment" for both the Houthi group and Tehran.
The US Central Command stated that the 13th night of attacks is specifically designed to reduce Iran's capacity to threaten commercial vessels and civilian sailors.. This military posture, supported by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, focuses on regaining control of the Strait of Hormuz to restore international maritime flow.
Ali al-Zaidi's Tehran visit and Pakistan's mediation role
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has attempted to broker a ceasefire, visiting Tehran on Thursday to advocate for dialogue and promising that Iraqi soil would not be used for attacks against Iran. Al-Zaidi's position is unique as he has maintained close ties with both the Trump adminiistration in Washington and the leadership in Tehran .
While UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged the Security Council to prioritize diplomacy, several critical details remain unverified. It is currently unclear what specific terms were included in the failed preliminary peace deal from last month, and the report does not specify the exact nature of the mediation efforts being led by Pakistan.
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