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Irish Daily Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Star
Trump breaks silence with furious two-word oil threat as Iran ready to retaliate
U.S. President Donald Trump has seemingly threatened businesses to maintain low oil prices even as Iran has threatened to retaliate after three of its nuclear facilities were bombed Saturday by the US. Trump posted he was watching them on his Truth Social page. "EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN," he wrote in a post on Monday. "I'M WATCHING!" The president added that businesses were "playing right into the hands of the enemy " and "don't do it." In a follow-up post , the president mentioned the Department of Energy specifically. "To The Department of Energy: DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! And I mean NOW," he wrote. Read More Related Articles Map shows US nuclear fallout shelter locations if cities are attacked Read More Related Articles Donald Trump dementia fears spike after 'symptom' spotted in President's suit Trumo made the post days after bombing Iran (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images) The posts come after Iran vowed to brutally kill as many as 50,000 American soldiers after the attacks late Saturday night. Fearing for his own life, Trump has reportedly had given US officials one simple instruction should Iran plot his assassination. "If they did that, they would be obliterated," he warned. "That would be the end. I've left instructions. If they do it, they get obliterated. There won't be anything left.' Fearing for his own life, Trump has reportedly had given US officials one simple instruction should Iran plot his assassination. (Image: AFP via Getty Images) Using the assassination rumors to his advantage, Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, told Fox News, "He killed Qasem Soleimani. He made it very clear, including now, 'You cannot have a nuclear weapon, which means you cannot enrich uranium.' He's been very forceful, so for them, he's enemy number one." Trump has reportedly claimed that he had instructed his advisors to launch a devastating strike against the country should they manage to kill him. Simultaneously, he was signing an executive order directing his Cabinet to apply 'maximum pressure' on Tehran, either through sanctions or by probing US-linked proxy groups. The posts come after Iran vowed to brutally kill as many as 50,000 American soldiers after the attacks late Saturday night (Image: Office of the Supreme Leader of) The order further added that Iran must be prevented from acquiring a nuclear weapon or intercontinental ballistic missiles. It also calls for the dismantling of Iran's terrorist networks and the containment of its expanding missile programme and other conventional and unconventional military capabilities. Also in the aftermath of the attacks, Trump's approval rating tanked with his net rating sitting at -13%, according to a poll by The Economist and YouGov . The survey, which was conducted in June, found that 41% of Americans strongly or somewhat approve of how the president is running the country. On the flip side, 54% disapprove, matching his second-term high. The order further added that Iran must be prevented from acquiring a nuclear weapon or intercontinental ballistic missiles (Image: via Getty Images) Trump's approval has fallen most sharply among younger adults, with just 27% of under-30s approving of his job handling, while 66% disapprove. Approval of Trump's handling of immigration fell sharply in comparison to the previous week, when 49% approved and 45% disapproved. On immigration, 44% of people approve of the president's stance, while disapproval is up to 52%. The survey also asked Americans about the Iran-Israel conflict. According to the survey, half of Americans view Iran as an enemy to the US while 25% say it is unfriendly and 5% say it is an ally or friendly. A total of 61% of Americans viewed Iran's nuclear program as either an immediate and serious threat to the US.
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First Post
7 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Calculated or cornered? Iran's dilemma after Trump's strikes
As Iran has vowed retaliation to US airstrikes on its nuclear sites, here are five options with Iran that range from kinetic action against US troops in the region to blocking the Strait of Hormuz and cyberattacks. There is also the possibility of Iran doubling down on the nuclear weapons programme. read more Iran is bound to respond after US airstrikes on its nuclear facilities over the weekend. Such attacks are expected to be multi-domain and not just military attacks. The United States on Saturday attacked the Iranian nuclear sites at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan . Even as the extent of the damage is not clear, what is clear is that the United States is now party to the Israel-Iran war and an Iranian retaliation is only a matter of time. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iranian attacks against the United States are now 'inevitable' and 'will be swift and multi-layered based on the extent of damage caused by the US strikes', Ellie Geranmayeh, the Deputy Head of the Middle East and North Africa at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told Bloomberg. However, any Iranian retaliation would depend on the kind of escalation it can absorb and what capabilities remain — as Israel has taken down many Iranian missile launchers and weapons storage sites. Geranmayeh further said, 'Iran knows it cannot win this war, but wants to ensure that the US and Israel also lose.' Here are the many options that Iran may choose to respond to US strikes. Iranian retaliatory strikes on US troops The simplest way to respond would be to attack US interests in West Asia. Iran could do such attacks itself or tell its proxies to do such attacks. The United States has around 40,000 troops in 20 bases in the region. Major US bases are located in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). US soldiers in smaller numbers are also deployed in Syria and Iraq and experts say that these soldiers and their bases are the most vulnerable to any strikes. Iran may mount a calibrated response that may include strikes on US-linked infrastructure but not US troops themselves, Geranmayeh told Bloomberg. Any Iranian strikes on US soldiers and bases would carry the risk of escalating the conflict, so experts say that Iran could telegraph such strikes so as to minimise the damage and make way for an off-ramp for both sides. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Such a retaliation would be most likely, according to Bloomberg Economics Analyst Dina Esfandiary. With such a telegraphed retaliation, Iran would tell the United States where and what it will strike with the likely lack of US deaths allowing the Donald Trump administration to have an off-ramp and impress upon Israel that it must stop its attacks, which could effectively leading to a ceasefire for all parties, Bloomberg quoted Esfandiary as saying. Iranian cyber attacks Iran has well-known cyberattack capabilities and it is expected deploy them against the United States as part of the broader retaliation. The capabilities are such that, CyberAv3ngers, a group said to be linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), carries a $10 million reward. Strait of Hormuz Iran could block or disrupt the Strait of Hormuz. The consequence will be faced by the entire world and not just the United States and its allies. The waterway carries around 20 per cent of the world's all oil and gas supplies. Iran could mine the waterway and attacks ships passing through with boats and missiles. The blockage would mean that petroleum exporting nations dependent on the waterway would find their exports curtailed. Oil and gas prices are set to surge. If Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices could reach $120 a barrel and US inflation could surge to 5 per cent, according to JPMorgan Chase. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iranian attacks on oil fields In a less likely option, Iran may also strike oil fields of oil-producing countries in the region, which are mainly US allies and partners. In 2019, Yemen's Houthis carried out drone and missile strikes on Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq and Khurais oil facilities and temporarily took down around half of the kingdom's oil production. Iran may develop nuclear weapon Beside all these options, the ultimate retaliation may be the development of the nuclear bomb. Even as the United States struck three Iranian nuclear sites, the extent of the damage is not clear. There are also analyses that US strikes neither destroyed Iranian capabilities to enrich uranium completely nor stockpiles of near-weapons grade level uranium. With its back to the wall and conventional deterrence eroded, Iran may very well decide to develop a nuclear weapon.
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Business Standard
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
World braces for Iran's response after US airstrikes signal new era
The unprecedented US airstrikes on Iran have set traders and governments worldwide on edge, as the Islamic Republic warns of retaliation and Israel shows no sign of letting up in its assault. President Donald Trump's decision to deploy bunker-busting bombs, Washington's first direct military action against Iran after decades of hostility, has pushed the Middle East into uncharted territory and raised geopolitical risk in a world economy already facing severe uncertainty over his trade war. Oil rose almost 6 per cent when markets opened Monday morning in Asia, with analysts warning $100 a barrel is in sight depending on Iran's further response to the conflict, which began June 13 with a surprise attack by Israel. The US dollar pushed higher, stock futures fell and Bitcoin slid below $100,000 for the first time since early May. At the United Nations on Sunday, Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told an emergency Security Council meeting that the 'timing nature and scale' of Tehran's response 'will be decided by its armed forces.' Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier said the country reserves all options to respond. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which answers to the Iran's supreme leader, signaled US military bases in the region could be targeted. Trump has vowed to meet any retaliation with force 'far greater' than the US strikes on the nuclear sites. He also floated the possibility of regime change in Iran, although US and Israeli officials Sunday stressed that isn't their aim. Police in New York, Washington and Los Angeles increased patrols at religious institutions, diplomatic facilities and public spaces. Officials cited no immediate credible threats but highlighted the need for vigilance. The Department of Homeland Security said the Israel-Iran war has placed the US in a 'heightened threat environment' through Sept. 22. It's still unclear how successful the US strikes were in eliminating Iran's most heavily protected enrichment site at Fordow. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which officially has the task of monitoring Iran's program, told the UN Security Council on Sunday that no one yet knows the condition of the facility, nor the location of Iran's more than 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 per cent. Any move by Tehran to harass traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a major artery for global crude and natural gas, has raised the specter of a spike in energy prices at a fragile moment for the global economy. 'An expanding conflict adds to the risk of higher oil prices and an upward impulse to inflation,' Bloomberg Economics analysts including Ziad Daoud wrote in a report. Naval forces in the region warned that ships, especially US-linked vessels, could be at heightened risk. Greece, home to more oil-tanker capacity than any other nation, cautioned its ship owners to think again if they're considering entering the Persian Gulf. Two supertankers both capable of hauling about 2 million barrels of crude U-turned in the Strait of Hormuz, entering the waterway then abruptly changing course on Sunday. British Airways and Singapore Airlines canceled flights to the Persian Gulf, increasing aviation disruptions in the region. While the US action was condemned by the likes of Russia and China, even allies such as UK and France distanced themselves from Trump's decision. Iran, meanwhile, finds itself isolated. Tehran's top allies — Russia and China — are offering only rhetorical support, while the militia groups Tehran has armed and funded for years are refusing or unable to enter the fight. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged in a news conference to continue Israel's military campaign in Iran as well as in the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces said Sunday it hit a surface-to-air missile launcher in Tehran, while in western Iran, Israeli jets struck infrastructure for storage and missile launches as well as satellites and military radar sites.
NDTV
23-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Shipping Industry In Middle East On High Alert After US Strikes On Iran
The shipping industry was placed on high alert on Sunday with warnings that Tehran could retaliate against commercial vessels following US airstrikes against Iran's nuclear facilities. Greece, home to more oil-tanker capacity than any other nation, cautioned its ship owners to think again if they're considering entering the Persian Gulf in the wake of US airstrikes. Vessels planning to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway that sits at the mouth of the region, should "reassess passage" until the situation normalizes, according to a circular seen by Bloomberg that its shipping ministry sent to vessel owners. It advised waiting in nearby safe ports. Naval forces in the area warned that ships, especially US-linked ones, could be at heightened risk. Shipping giant A.P. Moller - Maersk A/S said it continues to transit Hormuz but is ready to re-evaluate its position based on the information available. The actions of the maritime industry - and its risk tolerance - will be a critical detail in the wake of the strikes because of Iran's proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for a fifth of the world's oil and an unavoidable searoute into the Persian Gulf. Athens' warning is the latest sign of pressure on shipping markets as attacks on Iran escalate. Tanker earnings already soared by almost 90% since Israel first started conducting airstrikes on June 13. As one of the world's largest shipowning nations, advice to Greece's vessel owners would have a major impact on commodity transportation markets, especially oil. There's every chance shipowners will ignore the advice because the Persian Gulf is too-important a region for them to avoid and rates can always rise to compensate for the risk of sailing in the region. Operators that do decide to transit Hormuz should adopt the highest security level available and maintain the maximum possible distance from Iranian waters, Greece's ministry added. In Sunday's notice, the Greek ministry cited concern around a possible closure of Hormuz as a reason behind its message. Officials at three Greek tanker companies said they were still assessing the situation. One did indicate he might still allow his tankers to enter the region, while another said their ships would likely stay away. Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said in a statement that the government, via the shipping ministry, advised Greek-flagged and Greek-owned ships in the area of the Strait of Hormuz to go to safe port until the situation normalizes. Bigger Risk Naval groups are also warning of greater risk. On Sunday, the Joint Maritime Information Center, a liaison between navies and merchant shipping in the region, said that the Washington's airstrikes mean US-linked ships sailing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden face a high risk of attack. Yemen's Houthi rebel group issued fresh threats against American commercial and naval ships earlier in the day. There had been a ceasefire between the US and the Houthis in early May, geared toward limiting the group's attacks on the US navy. US-linked ships should consider re-routing, the JMIC said in its update. Still, it said some US-associated vessels have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, "which is a positive sign for the immediate future." Separately, the European Union's naval force in the region raised its threat assessment for US-linked vessels as a result of the strikes. It now sees a severe threat to ships linked to the US and Israel and a low risk for all other ships. "This does not exclude the possibility of all merchant vessels being targeted in the future," it said in an update published by France's MICA Center, which helps co-ordinate global maritime security.
Hindustan Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Mideast shipping on high alert after US bombs Iranian nuclear sites
The shipping industry was placed on high alert on Sunday with warnings that Tehran could retaliate against commercial vessels following US airstrikes against Iran's nuclear facilities. Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz(Representative image/Reuters) Greece, home to more oil-tanker capacity than any other nation, cautioned its ship owners to think again if they're considering entering the Persian Gulf in the wake of US airstrikes. Vessels planning to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway that sits at the mouth of the region, should 'reassess passage' until the situation normalizes, according to a circular seen by Bloomberg that its shipping ministry sent to vessel owners. It advised waiting in nearby safe ports. Naval forces in the area warned that ships, especially US-linked ones, could be at heightened risk. Shipping giant A.P. Moller - Maersk A/S said it continues to transit Hormuz but is ready to re-evaluate its position based on the information available. The actions of the maritime industry — and its risk tolerance — will be a critical detail in the wake of the strikes because of Iran's proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for a fifth of the world's oil and an unavoidable searoute into the Persian Gulf. Athens' warning is the latest sign of pressure on shipping markets as attacks on Iran escalate. Tanker earnings already soared by almost 90% since Israel first started conducting airstrikes on June 13. As one of the world's largest shipowning nations, advice to Greece's vessel owners would have a major impact on commodity transportation markets, especially oil. There's every chance shipowners will ignore the advice because the Persian Gulf is too-important a region for them to avoid and rates can always rise to compensate for the risk of sailing in the region. Operators that do decide to transit Hormuz should adopt the highest security level available and maintain the maximum possible distance from Iranian waters, Greece's ministry added. In Sunday's notice, the Greek ministry cited concern around a possible closure of Hormuz as a reason behind its message. Officials at three Greek tanker companies said they were still assessing the situation. One did indicate he might still allow his tankers to enter the region, while another said their ships would likely stay away. Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said in a statement that the government, via the shipping ministry, advised Greek-flagged and Greek-owned ships in the area of the Strait of Hormuz to go to safe port until the situation normalizes. Bigger Risk Naval groups are also warning of greater risk. On Sunday, the Joint Maritime Information Center, a liaison between navies and merchant shipping in the region, said that the Washington's airstrikes mean US-linked ships sailing through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden face a high risk of attack. Yemen's Houthi rebel group issued fresh threats against American commercial and naval ships earlier in the day. There had been a ceasefire between the US and the Houthis in early May, geared toward limiting the group's attacks on the US navy. US-linked ships should consider re-routing, the JMIC said in its update. Still, it said some US-associated vessels have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, 'which is a positive sign for the immediate future.' Separately, the European Union's naval force in the region raised its threat assessment for US-linked vessels as a result of the strikes. It now sees a severe threat to ships linked to the US and Israel and a low risk for all other ships. 'This does not exclude the possibility of all merchant vessels being targeted in the future,' it said in an update published by France's MICA Center, which helps co-ordinate global maritime security.
