Iran-Israel tensions rattle markets
Escalating global tensions, especially the Iran-Israel conflict threatening oil supplies via the Strait of Hormuz, are rattling markets [https://x.com/i/status/2032250715146481760]. Iran's new supreme leader vowed revenge as Israel intensified strikes and Trump escalated rhetoric [https://x.com/i/status/2032250715146481760]. Geopolitical hotspots include Kosovo-Serbia, Congo-Rwanda, Pakistan-India, and more [https://x.com/i/status/2032250715146481760].
The Strait of Hormuz has become a major flashpoint after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2026. Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks, effectively halting shipping traffic through the Strait, a critical passage for global oil supplies. Tanker traffic initially dropped by 70%, then plummeted to near zero, with over 150 ships waiting outside the Strait. Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the deceased leader, was announced as the new Supreme Leader on March 9. In his first message, delivered via state TV, he vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed and continue attacks on US assets. He also called on Gulf states to shut down US bases, further escalating tensions. The closure of the Strait has disrupted about 20% of the world's daily oil supply, causing Brent crude oil prices to surge. Prices surpassed $100 per barrel on March 8, reaching a peak of $126. Some analysts fear oil could hit $200 a barrel. The disruption is considered the largest energy supply crisis since the 1970s.
