Strait of Hormuz coverage

Defense spending

Pentagon puts Iran war cost at $25B as lawmakers question the real bill

Defense officials say the figure mainly covers munitions and operational costs; Democrats and economists argue fuel, food, repairs and long-term obligations could push the total far higher

U.S.-Iran standoff

Why Trump’s Iran blockade may not break Tehran’s oil industry this week

Analysts say Iran has enough storage to avoid the immediate field damage Trump warned about, even as the blockade squeezes revenue and drives up oil prices

Maritime chokepoints

Panama Canal dispute puts U.S.-China shipping tensions back in focus

Washington and regional partners accuse Beijing of pressuring Panama-linked vessels, while China denies the charge as another major waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, remains disrupted

Iran war

Trump warns Iran to make a deal as Pentagon puts war cost at $25 billion

The standoff over Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz is drawing sharper public threats from Washington and Tehran, while lawmakers press the Pentagon for answers on cost, duration and strategy

Oil markets

UAE’s Opec exit tests the cartel’s grip on oil supply

The Gulf producer wants more room to pump after years of quota limits. The move may not drive prices during the Strait of Hormuz crisis, but it could reshape the market afterward

Energy markets

Brent crude jumps to $119 as Iran blockade fears deepen

The benchmark rose nearly 7% Wednesday after reports the U.S. is preparing to extend pressure on Iranian ports while traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains heavily disrupted