Global Scans · Conflict · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Rising tensions around are bringing new and regional geopolitical threats and the possibility of eventual global war. Keep abreast of the unfolding drama and know where the risks and opportunities are in the world.

• [New] United States President Donald Trump has threatened to attack Iran's power plants if freedom of navigation is not fully restored at the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours, a dramatic escalation as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues for a fourth week. Al Jazeera
• [New] Any outcome of the war in Ukraine could encourage Vladimir Putin to escalate further in order to restore Russia's global standing. Militarnyi
• [New] Any effort to seize and hold Iran's energy facilities would put American troops in greater danger than they have been exposed to in the conflict, which has seen 13 US fatalities to date. financialpost
• [New] A sustained conflict and the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz beyond the end of March will create cost-push inflation worldwide through elevated energy, commodity and transportation prices. Bruegel | The Brussels-based economic think tank
• [New] Ukraine has repeatedly asked for more Patriot missiles and systems, and this week President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Kiev will definitely face shortages of Patriots because of the U.S. war against Iran. wdio.com
• [New] With the conflict in the Middle East now set to move into its fourth week, the ramifications of the war and fears of the ultimate cost to the global economy is driving meaningful volatility in financial markets. Artemis.bm - The Catastrophe Bond, Insurance Linked Sec
• [New] Households renewing their electricity contracts are already facing higher prices, with retailer plans up by as much as 11% almost three weeks into the US-Israel war on Iran. CNA
• [New] The war in the Middle East could yet worsen as reports suggest that Israeli and US troops could be sent to Iran. City AM
• [New] The UK economy is set to grow by half as much as economists predicted before the war in Iran started as forecasters attempt to make sense of how deep the impact of an energy price shock will be. City AM
• [New] The Iran war and disruptions to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz have sharply boosted Chinese demand for Russian crude. The Moscow Times
• [New] China is throttling exports of jet fuel, diesel and fertilisers, adding to fears in some of Asia's biggest resource, manufacturing and agricultural nations that supplies could run short because of the war in the Middle East. Edge and Odds -
• [New] As the second week of the worsening Middle East conflict draws to a close, leaders around the world are scrambling to find measures to help ease pressures on their energy markets from disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Ship & Bunker
• [New] President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday announced a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act shipping law, temporarily allowing foreign-flagged vessels to move fuel, fertilizers, and other goods between U.S. ports to combat price increases and supply disruptions from the Iran conflict. MarineLink
• [New] Geopolitical risk, inflationary concerns, and uncertainty over the trajectory of global economic growth have risen significantly over the course of the month due to both the onset of the war in Iran and recent economic reports. Rhame & Gorrell Wealth Management | The Woodlands Finan
• [New] The escalating attacks on key oil and gas projects in the Middle East are expected to fuel a new phase of the ongoing conflict, with profound consequences for the world's energy supplies and the global economy. The Guardian
• [New] The longer the Iran war and the associated closure of the Strait of Hormuz go on, the greater the economic pain will be. KPRC Click2Houston
• [New] Escalation of the Iran war pushed crude prices higher on Wednesday after Iran said it will attack other Middle Eastern energy infrastructure targets in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks on Iran's energy. Barchart.com
• [New] A prolonged conflict could reduce demand in key markets in Europe and North America. The Daily Star
• [New] Given that the potential impacts of a global conflict would cut across multiple sectors - including energy, trade, finance, and migration - effective coordination among different ministries and agencies will be essential. The Daily Star
• [New] Unit 42 is tracking an increased risk of wiper attacks related to the conflict with Iran, including multiple related incidents impacting organizations in Israel and the US. Unit 42
• [New] Global oil prices jump as escalating US-Israeli conflict with Iran and shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz raise fears of supply shortages. GCC BUSINESS WATCH

Last updated: 24 March 2026