Pentagon official says U.S. war in Iran has cost $25 billion so far
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 bi...
Goldman Sachs economists have warned that any significant disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz could push Brent crude prices over $100 per barrel, potentially causing a sharp rise in transport costs, inflation, and slowing global growth.
Despite an early spike in oil prices that quickly subsided, Goldman Sachs analysts predict that a disruption in supplies from the Middle East, especially through the vital Strait of Hormuz, would cause energy prices to soar.
The investment bank estimates that if oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz were cut by half for a month and then remained 10% lower for another 11 months, Brent crude could spike briefly to as high as $110 per barrel. This level would mark the highest price since August 2022 and nearly a third higher than the current price of around $77 per barrel.
If Iranian oil supply alone fell by 1.75 million barrels per day, Brent prices would peak at about $90 per barrel, according to analysts including Daan Struyven.
However, Goldman Sachs’ baseline scenario assumes that physical disruptions to Iran’s supply and the broader regional oil and gas production and shipping are avoided. Under this assumption, Brent crude is forecast to fall to around $60 per barrel by the end of the year.
The warning comes amid heightened tensions in the region after Iran’s parliament voted to shut down the Hormuz shipping channel, a crucial artery carrying about 20% of global oil shipments, in retaliation against U.S. military actions.
Goldman analysts argue that there are strong economic incentives for key players - including the U.S. and China - to prevent a sustained and large-scale disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the critical importance of this route to global energy security.
A report published by Minval Politika has raised new questions over alleged efforts by Luis Moreno Ocampo to shape international pressure against Azerbaijan and influence political dynamics around Armenia.
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 billion had so far been spent on the conflict, most of it on munitions. Earlier, Donald Trump said that the U.S. had "militarily defeated" Tehran.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned “foreigners who commit evil” have no place in the Gulf, outlining a “new phase” for the Strait of Hormuz, while a senior adviser said U.S. blockade efforts would fail and could trigger confrontation.
Shares in Meta Platforms fell sharply in extended trading on Wednesday after the tech giant raised its annual capital spending forecast by billions of dollars.
A senior U.S. administration official says a ceasefire agreed with Iran in early April has effectively ended hostilities for an imminent congressional war powers 1 May deadline, arguing that the absence of any military exchanges for more than three weeks removes the need for further authorisation.
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The United Arab Emirates has said it's quitting OPEC from 1 May, dealing a major blow to the oil producers’ group and its de facto leader, Saudi Arabia, amid disruption caused by the Iran war.
As the Iran war disrupts global flows of oil and gas and energy prices skyrocket, the Drin River, which descends through the mountains of northern Albania, is acting as a kind of shield.
China has ordered Meta to unwind its more than $2 billion acquisition of artificial intelligence start-up Manus, marking a major escalation in Beijing’s scrutiny of foreign investment in sensitive technology sectors. The order was issued on Monday by the National Development and Reform Commission.
Adidas shares rose after Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe delivered a historic performance at the London Marathon on Sunday (26 April), becoming the first athlete to run an official marathon in under two hours.
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