Dangerous phase: On the crisis in West Asia
The conflict in West Asia is intensifying as the US and Iran engage in direct military confrontations, including strikes on oil tankers and air bases. The situation threatens global energy security as both sides escalate military and economic pressure.
Why it matters
The escalation risks a major regional war and significant disruption to global trade routes and energy markets.
The crisis in West Asia is escalating on two fronts. On Tuesday, the U.S. said that its forces had struck five Iranian oil tankers in the Gulf waters after what it claimed were Tehran’s attacks on U.S. warships in the region. Iran retaliated with a massive ballistic missile attack on the Muwaffaq Salti U.S. air base in Jordan and vowed to respond with greater force to every U.S. attack from now on. It has also announced a new restricted zone in the Strait of Hormuz, warning commercial ships against crossing it under American naval escort. Separately, Yemen’s Houthis, who are closely aligned with Tehran, launched an attack on Saudi Arabia, wounding dozens. Riyadh has vowed a response.
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