DUBAI, April 2: Iran launched fresh missile strikes on Israel and Gulf Arab states, signaling that it retains significant military capability despite claims by Donald Trump that the country’s threat has been largely neutralized.
Tehran dismissed these assertions, with military officials insisting that key weapons systems and production facilities remain intact and hidden.
Missile interceptions were reported across the region, including in Dubai, Israel, and Bahrain, highlighting the ongoing intensity of the conflict.
Strategic leverage: Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s most powerful advantage in the conflict has been its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route through which about 20% of the world’s traded oil passes during peacetime.
Iranian actions, including attacks on commercial ships and threats to maritime traffic, have effectively halted most movement through the strait, disrupting global energy supplies. This chokehold has amplified the war’s impact far beyond West Asia.
Global diplomatic efforts
In response to the crisis, the United Kingdom is coordinating discussions with around 35 countries on how to safely reopen the strait once hostilities ease.
Participants include most G7 nations, along with Gulf states like the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. While there is consensus on the need to restore shipping, no country has shown willingness to use force while the conflict continues.
Diplomatic solutions remain the preferred approach, though concerns persist that Iran could maintain restrictions even after fighting ends.
Trump’s position and military developments
Trump has suggested that securing the strait could be achieved through force but emphasized it should not be led by the US. Instead, he urged oil-dependent nations to take action.
He also claimed that US strategic objectives in the conflict are nearing completion.
However, his speech did not address ongoing ceasefire negotiations or a previously mentioned deadline for Iran to reopen the waterway.
Rising human and regional costs
The war has caused significant casualties across multiple regions. Over 1,900 people have reportedly died in Iran, compared to 19 in Israel.
Additional deaths have been recorded in Gulf states, the West Bank, and among US military personnel.
In Lebanon, where Iran-backed Hezbollah is engaged in fighting Israel, more than 1,200 people have been killed and over a million displaced.
The conflict has thus expanded into a broader regional crisis with severe humanitarian consequences.
Economic impact and oil price surge
The disruption in energy flows has driven up global oil and gas prices, affecting economies worldwide.
Brent crude prices have surged to around $108 per barrel, marking a sharp increase since the conflict began.
The impact extends beyond fuel costs, contributing to rising prices for goods and services, including food and travel. Interruptions in jet fuel supply have also affected global aviation.
Ongoing uncertainty
Despite suggestions from Trump that the war could end soon, continued Iranian strikes and unresolved control of the Strait of Hormuz indicate that the conflict remains far from over.
With no immediate resolution in sight, both geopolitical tensions and economic instability are likely to persist. (AP)
