President Trump had ordered a fresh wave of strikes on Iran aimed at forcing the country’s surrender, with reports suggesting bombing could last several days starting this weekend. This move marks a serious escalation after Trump told reporters “we’ll be hitting them very hard” and that Iran would “pay until they come to the table.”
Could this trigger a wider conflict?
Iran’s military already warned that any nation providing the US logistical support will be “engulfed by the flames of war,” while Iran’s army separately cautioned the war could widen if strikes continue. Adding to the risk, a US general reportedly warned the Pentagon that without additional naval resources, he may be forced to choose defending the US homeland over defending Israel, signaling a sign the conflict is straining American military capacity across multiple fronts.
Why global oil markets are watching closely.
Brent crude already surged past $76 a barrel, reversing a recent drop back toward pre-war prices, as the Strait of Hormuz, which carries roughly 27% of the world’s oil and gas trade, remains a flashpoint. Earlier in the ongoing conflict, oil briefly spiked above $100 a barrel when Iran effectively shut down the strait, and analysts have warned prices could climb dramatically higher if this new round of strikes disrupts shipping again.
Unlike earlier strikes focused on military and nuclear sites, this new wave reportedly targets Iran’s energy infrastructure, a shift aimed at crippling the regime’s economic lifeline rather than just its weapons capacity. Notably, officials say there was internal discussion about trying to conclude the bombing before social markets open Monday, showing how economic fallout is shaping military timing decisions at the highest levels.
