Global threats and troops on the way: the war expands
Three weeks after it all began, the outlook is darker. Iran threatened this Friday to carry out its retaliatory attacks to parks and tourist destinations in different parts of the world. Meanwhile, Washington announced that it is sending more warships and marines to the region.
They are two movements that cancel each other out and paint a scenario of uncontrolled escalation.
What is really happening?
The messages are contradictory to the point of absurdity. After learning of the military deployment, President Donald Trump wrote on his networks that his government is considering “reducing” military operations. But actions say otherwise: The United States is sending three more amphibious assault ships and about 2,500 additional Marines, three officials confirmed to The Associated Press.
“We are very close to meeting our objectives as we consider reducing our magnificent military efforts in the Middle East,” Trump posted.
Reduce efforts or send more troops? The question remains floating while the government also asks Congress for another 200 billion dollars to finance this war.
On the other hand, Iranian threats are increasingly extensive. Military spokesman General Abolfazl Shekarchi warned that “parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations” in various parts of the world will not be safe for the country’s enemies. It’s a clear sign: Tehran is considering pushing outside the Middle East.
The real price: oil and lives
The market reacted with panic to this new verbal escalation. Crude oil prices rose sharply, causing the US stock market to fall. In response, the Trump administration announced that it will temporarily lift sanctions on Iranian oil loaded onto ships.
It’s a desperate measure to contain gas prices, but analysts are skeptical. Brent crude oil is already around 108 dollars per barrel, compared to 70 before the war.
While leaders talk, people suffer. More than 1,300 people have died in Iran. Israeli attacks in Lebanon have displaced more than a million people and killed more than a thousand, according to the Lebanese government. In Israel, 15 people have been killed by Iranian missiles.
The war shows no signs of abating. And with threats now targeting civilian and tourist targets globally, what began as a regional conflict now has global reach.
