The ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated, with President Trump threatening to bomb bridges or power plants for every ship attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. This comes as a response to Iran's continued attacks on vessels in the strait, as well as its bombardment of Jordan and other U.S. allies in the region. The situation has caused oil prices to soar, with international benchmark Brent Crude trading briefly over $95 a barrel, a $20 rise since the U.S. and Iran resumed fighting on July 7. The U.S. military has been conducting strikes on Iranian assets, including aircraft hangars, drone storage and operations centers, to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iran has also been hitting back, with its Revolutionary Guard claiming to have struck U.S. bases in Jordan and killed or wounded several "invading forces". The situation is further complicated by Pakistan's concerns over Iran's attempts to drag Saudi Arabia into the conflict, as well as Lebanon's efforts to secure a complete Israeli withdrawal from occupied areas. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia have also reached a commercial agreement for U.S. companies to run nuclear power for the Saudis on Saudi soil, raising further tensions in the region. As the situation continues to unfold, the world watches with bated breath, wondering what the future holds for the Middle East.
