⚡ BREAKING NEWS     LIVE COVERAGE — MARCH 10, 2026

🌍 War in the Middle East: Oil Tops $120 and Trump Threatens "20 Times Stronger" Attack

The conflict between the US and Iran escalates to critical levels: the Secretary of War announces the "most intense day of attacks" on Iranian territory, while energy markets register their biggest rise since 2008 and Mojtaba Khamenei emerges as Iran's new supreme leader.

International oil markets recorded their biggest shock in almost two decades on Monday. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude broke above the psychological barrier of $100 per barrel and reached as high as $120 during the weekly open, boosted by escalating military tensions in the Persian Gulf and the growing threat over the Strait of Hormuz.

North Sea Brent followed the same upward trend, accumulating an increase of more than 18% in just 72 hours. Analysts at Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan warn that, if an effective blockade of the strait is confirmed, the price of a barrel could climb to 150-180 dollars, with devastating consequences for the global economy.

The Strait of Hormuz is the most critical energy bottleneck on the planet: approximately 20% of the world's oil supply and 17% of liquefied natural gas (LNG) transit its barely 33 kilometers of navigable width daily. Its closure would mean an unprecedented modern energy shock.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense confirmed that Monday, March 10, would be the "most intense day of attacks" launched on Iranian territory since the start of hostilities. Military operations include bombing of nuclear and military infrastructure, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps bases and strategic logistics centers.

Pentagon sources indicated that more than 150 air missions were executed in the last 24 hours, involving B-2 Spirit bombers, F-35s and the use of Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from aircraft carriers positioned in the Arabian Sea. The operation has been dubbed "Operation Desert Shield II" internally.

Tel Aviv officially backed Washington's operations, while NATO expressed "concern" but avoided speaking out against the intervention. China and Russia convened an emergency session of the UN Security Council that was blocked by the US veto.

At the heart of Iran's political-military chaos, one figure has emerged with unusual speed: Mojtaba Khamenei, youngest son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, consolidated as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the midst of the conflict.

The 55-year-old Mojtaba has been in the shadows of Iranian power for decades, building a network of loyalties within Qom's Revolutionary Guards and angry circles. His appointment was confirmed by the Council of Experts in an extraordinary session convened as a matter of urgency, in what analysts read as a sign that Iran's traditional leadership has suffered a severe impact.

Unlike his father, who is renowned for his strategic diplomacy and calculated patience, analysts describe Mojtaba as more combative and ideologically rigid. His first public statement was lapidary: "Iran will not back down from the crusaders of the 21st century."

The international community is watching the escalating spiral with growing alarm. The European Union issued a joint statement of the 27 member countries demanding "an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomacy", although without announcing concrete measures.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in a position of extremely delicate balance, declared neutrality but activated their air defence systems. Global stock markets are trading in risk-off mode: Wall Street fell 4.2%, while gold rose to $2,890 an ounce, its all-time high.

In Latin America, oil-importing countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Chile warned of the impact on their balances of payments, with fuel inflation projections that could exceed 40% in the next 90 days if the conflict drags on.

The scenarios being considered by the main international policy think tanks point to three possible paths in the short term:

1.      Scenario 1 — Negotiated de-escalation: International pressure and the economic impact on the US itself (inflation, markets) force a tactical pause and indirect diplomatic channels are opened through Qatar or Turkey.

2.     Scenario 2 — Regional escalation: Iran acts on the Strait of Hormuz partially or totally, dragging Hezbollah, Iraqi militias and Yemeni Houthis into the conflict. The price of the barrel exceeds 150 dollars.

3.     Scenario 3 — Forced containment: The U.S. achieves its military objectives without provoking a strait-closure response; Mojtaba Khamenei agrees to negotiate from a weakened position. Oil retreats to $85-90.

#GuerraIranEEUU  #PetroleoHoy  #EstrChoOrmuz  #TrumpIran  #MojtabaJamenei  #BreakingNews  #MedioOriente2026  #CrisisEnergética  #OilPrice  #GeopoliticaGlobal  #GuerraPersia  #NotiicasInternacionales 

⚠️ This is a developing story. Data can be updated at any time.

📅 Last updated: 10/03/2026 — 08:45 AM |  🌐 Source: International Desk

Close