US President Donald Trump has threatened to blow Iran 'off the face of the earth' if it attacks American vessels, as tensions in the Middle East escalate. The warning came after the US military said it sank six Iranian boats targeting civilian ships during an operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's military claimed to have struck a US frigate with two missiles, but US Central Command denied any hits on its vessels. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates reported attacks on its territory for the first time since a ceasefire in early April, including a fire at an oil facility in Fujairah that wounded three Indian nationals.
Japan has taken delivery of its first Russian oil since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as the country seeks to diversify energy sources. The crude from the Sakhalin-2 project arrived at Imabari on Monday, according to reports. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the global oil supply squeeze was having an 'enormous impact' on the Asia-Pacific region.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for de-escalation, urging Iran to engage meaningfully in negotiations. The IMF warned that if the conflict drags into 2027 and oil prices hit $125 a barrel, the global economy could face a 'much worse outcome'. Stock markets fell on Tuesday amid the fresh spike in tensions.
