Tense Weekend Ahead: US Prepares to Strike Iran
US President Donald Trump has reportedly ordered the US military to prepare for a new strike against Iran that could commence as early as this weekend. According to *The Wall Street Journal* on Friday (July 31), the operation aims to ramp up military pressure to compel Tehran to accede to Washington's demands.
A separate report by CBS indicates that the United States and Israel are considering bombing Iranian energy infrastructure, including oil refineries and power plants. However, CBS sources emphasized that a final decision regarding the targets has not yet been made.
Plans for the strike emerged after Trump expressed a loss of confidence in Iranian negotiators. Washington's anger intensified following an Iranian attack on US forces in Jordan, which ended a lull in hostilities and triggered American retaliatory strikes against dozens of Iranian targets.
The White House has not yet officially announced the timing, scale, or target list for the new operation. Channels of communication via intermediaries remain open, but relations between the two nations are extremely fragile, with both sides accusing the other of violating diplomatic commitments.
This escalation coincides with threats to energy shipping routes in the Middle East. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have raised supply concerns, while Brent crude prices surged approximately 23% in July due to the conflict and risks to global shipping.
Newsmaker Analysis: If the US proceeds to strike Iranian refineries and power plants, oil prices could spike as markets factor in supply disruptions and the potential for retaliatory action against shipping lanes. Gold could gain support as a safe-haven asset, while the dollar might strengthen initially. However, an energy price surge could also exacerbate inflation and roil global stock markets. This analysis is based on a hypothetical scenario, as the targets and timing of the strike have not been officially confirmed. (arl)
Source: Newsmaker.id
