Donald still dilly-dallies on deadlines: Where is Iran war headed?

US President Donald Trump's address on the escalating West Asia conflict offered no clarity on an exit strategy, instead repeating familiar rhetoric and threats. Trump claimed US forces are close to completing their mission in Tehran and insisted America does not depend on the Strait of Hormuz. He warned Iran could be hit extremely hard if negotiations fail, threatening to strike electric generating plants simultaneously. Global markets reacted sharply, with Brent crude surging $6 in 18 minutes, Asian markets slipping into the red, and Indian precious metals declining sharply. Soumya Kanti Ghosh, group chief economic advisor of SBI and member of Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council, warned that sectors including fertilisers, petrochemicals and agriculture face significant disruption, particularly if a forecasted super El Nino materialises. Nilesh Shah, part-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, noted that higher oil prices impact inflation, interest rates, current account deficit and GDP growth, with every $10 increase potentially reducing growth by 25 to 30 basis points annually. Iran subsequently claimed to have attacked Amazon's computing centre in Bahrain, marking a stunning escalation in the conflict.