Live updates: Iran war news; Strait of Hormuz energy crisis, Trump’s 48-hour deadline looms

Key Points:

• The ongoing US-Israel war with Iran has triggered an energy crisis expected to drive up global grocery and travel costs, with no immediate resolution in sight, according to energy analyst Amena Bakr and the International Energy Agency (IEA).
• The Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, remains effectively closed due to the conflict, prompting international efforts, including from the UK, US, and NATO, to reopen it and stabilize global energy markets.
• Iran has threatened retaliatory strikes on regional power plants and infrastructure if attacked, escalating tensions and raising concerns about widespread damage to civilian and energy facilities in the Middle East.
• The conflict has severely impacted energy exports, notably liquefied natural gas from Qatar, leading to market instability and prompting the IEA to coordinate increased oil production and strategic stock releases to mitigate the crisis.
• Regional civilian populations, especially in Israel and Iran, are experiencing direct impacts from missile strikes and air raids, with Israeli citizens expressing concern over air defense effectiveness amid ongoing attacks.