politics
What we know on the 14th day of the US and Israel’s war with Iran
Nearly three weeks into the US-Israel war with Iran, the economic fallout is growing with little sign of relief, as Tehran’s new supreme leader vows to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed.
TL;DR
- Casualties are mounting with French soldiers, academics, and US Air Force personnel among those killed.
- Oil prices surged above $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022, with Iran threatening to 'set the region's oil and gas on fire' if attacked.
- Iran's new supreme leader vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed as a 'tool of pressure,' though conflicting reports emerged.
- Multiple oil tankers, cargo ships, and vessels have been attacked in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
- A US Air Force refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, though not due to hostile fire.
- Missile strikes were launched at Israel, damaging buildings and injuring people, while Iran claimed Hezbollah also attacked from Lebanon.
- Explosions were felt in Tehran and Beirut, with Israel targeting Iranian paramilitary checkpoints and expanding operations against Hezbollah.
- Gulf states, including Dubai and Saudi Arabia, repelled fresh Iranian attacks.
- Two academics were killed by an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, and two foreigners died in Oman.
- A French soldier was killed in an attack in Iraqi Kurdistan, with an Iran-backed militia threatening French interests afterward.
- The Pentagon and National Security Council are believed to have underestimated Iran's willingness to close the Strait of Hormuz.
- A US Senate chairman plans to hold the first public oversight hearing of the war.