US Navy to Escort Oil Tankers Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Threats from Iran
In a significant development, the United States has announced that the US Navy will escort oil tankers through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipment, in response to escalating threats from Iran. This decision comes as Iranian attacks on maritime traffic and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf have recently intensified, pushing oil prices above $100 per barrel and causing stocks to decline worldwide. According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, discussions regarding the escort operations emerged during an interview with Sky News. Bessent emphasized that military escorts for tankers will commence when deemed militarily... [Continue Reading]
The US may move its anti-missile system out of South Korea - and it's sparking unease
Reports say the US may be moving parts of its Thaad system to the Middle East, despite Seoul's opposition. [Continue Reading]
As US missiles leave South Korea, the Philippines asks: are we next?
The United States has begun pulling missile-defence systems from South Korea to feed its war with Iran, prompting fresh questions in the Philippines about Washington’s military commitments to the Asia-Pacific. The transfer of Patriot batteries from the Korean peninsula, accompanied by reports that parts of a THAAD anti-missile system were also on the move, did not directly affect the US military presence in the Philippines. But the episode has forced a question that Manila would rather not have... [Continue Reading]
NATO Intercepts Ballistic Missile Launched from Iran Aimed at Turkey Amid Rising Middle East Tensions
On Monday, NATO successfully intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran that was headed towards Turkey. This development marks a continuation of escalating tensions in the Middle East and raises concerns about military escalation involving NATO forces in the region. The interception occurred as part of Iran's ongoing retaliation against multiple nations following recent conflicts sparked by a US-led offensive against Iranian targets. The missile interception was reported by the Turkish Defence Ministry, which indicated that the debris from the intercepted missile landed in Gaziantep province, located approximately 150 kilometers from the Incirlik Air Base. This base is strategically significant,... [Continue Reading]
