Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated sharply as military strikes, economic disruption, and increasingly aggressive rhetoric push the conflict toward a dangerous new phase. The situation intensified after Iran reportedly shut down traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical shipping lanes in the world. Roughly 20 percent of global oil shipments pass through this narrow channel connecting the Persian Gulf to the open sea. When Iran announced the closure, global markets reacted immediately, with oil prices surging amid fears of prolonged disruption. The conflict between the two countries has now stretched into its...
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