US-Iran Tension: Mutual Attacks Reach 9th Day, Brent Oil Exceeds 90 Dollars

The military conflict between the United States and Iran continues to escalate dangerously on its ninth night. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it launched a new wave of airstrikes targeting locations across the country in order to further degrade Iran's military capacity. Iranian media reported that explosions occurred in various regions such as Bushehr, Jask, Tabriz, and Chabahar.

The Iranian side continues to retaliate; the Revolutionary Guards announced that they struck a US target in the El-Tanf region of Syria. Additionally, upon the detection of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles in the Gulf region, Kuwaiti air defense systems were activated, and citizens were called on to remain on high alert. US President Donald Trump claimed that American forces were inflicting "very severe" blows on Iran and that the US had control of the Strait of Hormuz.

This intense military tension in the Middle East has also caused deep concerns in global energy markets. Investors' fears that energy transit through the Strait of Hormuz could be disrupted pushed the barrel price of Brent oil up by 3.3% to 90.97 dollars. This situation, combined with press-sourced reports that Washington is preparing to expand the conflict, is creating a major security concern in the international public.