The world is on edge as the war between the United States and Iran rages on, entering its fourth day with no signs of slowing down. This escalating conflict has forced the U.S. to take drastic measures, evacuating diplomats and shutting down embassies across the Middle East.
But here's where it gets controversial: President Trump has signaled that this war might not be a quick fix. He's suggested it could last for weeks, maybe even longer, and his comments about the U.S. having an "unlimited supply" of munitions have raised eyebrows.
The war has already claimed the lives of six U.S. service members, and officials warn that more casualties are expected.
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait has been closed, and staff in several countries have been ordered to evacuate. This comes after an Iranian attack on the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, and the Saudi defense ministry reported that the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh was attacked by drones, causing minor damage.
And this is the part most people miss: Iran is striking back at Gulf countries, like the United Arab Emirates, which are usually considered safe havens. They're doing this in retaliation for U.S. attacks that started on Saturday. Iran has also targeted commercial interests, warning that they will attack American assets across the region.
Amazon, for instance, reported that their data centers in the UAE and Bahrain were hit by drones, disrupting their operations.
The State Department has urged Americans to leave over a dozen countries and territories in the Middle East, but with flight cancellations and airport closures, the options to leave are dwindling.
In Israel, the military has resumed strikes in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah. This comes after a ceasefire agreement in 2024, but Israel has continued almost daily strikes since then.
The Israeli military spokesperson described their troop movements as a "tactical step" to enhance security for northern Israel. Meanwhile, thousands of Lebanese are fleeing the strikes, with some taking refuge on the sidewalks of Beirut's corniche.
The Lebanese government reports that 52 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since Saturday.
The U.S. and Israel continue to strike Iran, with residents in the capital hearing explosions overnight. The Israeli military claims to have struck Iran's intelligence ministry and state broadcaster, and they're now focusing on targeting Iran's missiles and launchers.
Iran, on the other hand, says it has closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for Gulf oil exports. They've threatened to set ships on fire if they attempt to pass through.
The repercussions of this war are vast, with global natural gas supplies being greatly reduced. About 20% of the world's liquified natural gas (LNG) is shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, and Iranian strikes have hit the world's largest LNG export plant in Qatar.
This disruption in LNG flows is a serious concern, especially as gas storage levels are already low due to the end of winter. Energy experts predict higher gas prices and reduced LNG flows out of the Persian Gulf, which could be highly profitable for LNG exporters elsewhere.
Oil prices have already risen since trading opened on Monday, and the impact of this war is being felt across the globe.
As the conflict continues, the question remains: How long can this war last, and what will be the ultimate cost?
