← March 16, 2026 briefingWorld
US-Israel War on Iran Enters Dangerous New Phase
The US-Israel military campaign against Iran continues to escalate, with strikes hitting the city of Hamadan while Iran's Revolutionary Guard declares it is ready for a long war and Tehran rejects Trump's claims of ceasefire talks. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed, sending oil prices higher and forcing Gulf energy producers to declare force majeure on shipments, with global allies offering only muted responses to Trump's demand for a naval coalition. The war has now cost the US approximately $12 billion, with no clear endgame in sight.
