Iran Threatens New Choke Points Amid Rising Tensions with US
US embassies in the Middle East have issued warnings to American citizens due to rising tensions between the US and Iran. The warnings come after President Donald Trump stated he was considering new military strikes against Iran, which could lead to further disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran's Supreme National Security Council secretary, Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, said that a continued US naval blockade and any escalation would not only restrict shipping but also lead to the closure of other strategic choke points. This comes after the Iran-backed Houthis targeted two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea with missiles and drones.
The conflict has driven sharp swings in energy prices, with Brent crude ending the week above $90 a barrel, up from below $72 a barrel at the start of last month. The US is also considering striking energy infrastructure, including oil refineries and power plants, which could mark a major escalation in the military campaign.