Washington Post: The massive expenditure of U.S. munitions in the Middle East is increasingly worrying Asian allies and frustrating Pentagon officials overseeing the Indo-Pacific, who fear that the prolonged war with Iran could undermine U.S. readiness for a conflict with China as it continues to step up military pressure across the region…
Iran inflicted billions in damage to U.S. intelligence sites, sources say
Iranian missile and drone attacks have inflicted damage on U.S. intelligence posts and surveillance hardware in the Middle East that is more extensive than any destruction America’s spy agencies have endured and will cost billions of dollars to repair, according to four people with knowledge of the matter…
Trump claims US sanctions will win war over Iran as oil prices sink
President Donald Trump claims the financial strength of the US will move the country “toward a very big victory” over Iran, adding that he does not believe Iran’s supreme leader is dead. The US’ wider sanctions against Iran are targeting aviation, shipping, technology, gold and digital assets.
More diplomacy: Qatar’s prime minister will visit Tehran on Thursday and meet with Iranian officials, according to Qatar’s foreign ministry. Earlier this week, Qatar voiced support for ongoing efforts between Oman and Iran to reach an agreement over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments…
Iran war approaching Ukraine-style stalemate, says shipping boss
Jacob Meldgaard compared the situation in the Gulf to Russia’s war in Ukraine, arguing that markets had again been too quick to assume that economic disruption would force both sides to find a solution.
“In 2022, a lot of people, especially in the US, for the first six months said the war in Ukraine will stop very soon because it makes no sense and it is inefficient for Europe not to get energy from Russia,” he said. “Clearly people misread how long that situation could last.”…