Trump's Optimism Sparks Concerns Over Us-iran Tensions
WHO:
Alternet - President Donald Trump is involved in the conflict with Iran.
Fox News - Nazee Moini, a Middle East Institute adjunct fellow, provided expert commentary on the situation.
WHAT:
Alternet - Trump is facing an "extraordinary new crisis" in the Middle East that could be worse than the war with Iran, according to the UK-based i Paper.
Alternet - The price of a barrel of Brent crude reached $139 (£103) during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Alternet - The Houthis have stated that the Bab al-Mandab Strait is closed to Saudi shipping but have not declared a wider blockade.
Alternet - A UN report found that 13 percent of crude oil passes through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Fox News - Trump stated that "anything could happen" in the U.S.-Iran war ahead of a meeting with Gulf leaders.
Alternet - Trump claims that going to war against Iran was necessary to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons.
Alternet - The price of a barrel of Brent crude reached $109.80 (£81).
Fox News - Trump expressed hope that the war with Iran was nearing its end and is weighing a “big decision” regarding U.S. military action.
WHERE:
Alternet - The Bab al-Mandab Strait is mentioned as a critical shipping route affected by the conflict.
Fox News - The commentary by Nazee Moini pertains to the situation in Iran.
WHEN:
Alternet - The war with Iran began in late February.
Alternet - A UN report from 2023 indicated that almost 9 percent of global trade by sea passes through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
WHY:
Alternet - Critics argue that the war has created greater instability in the Middle East, both militarily and economically.
Alternet - Critics argue that Trump's decision to go to war has created greater instability in the Middle East.
Fox News - Experts suggest that Iran is under extreme military and economic pressure, which could lead to escalation or implosion.
HOW:
Alternet - The main east-west pipeline carrying oil in Saudi Arabia was hit by drones over the past week.
Alternet - The Houthis, who are armed and funded by Iran, have threatened to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait to Saudi shipping.
Fox News - Trump is considering escalating military action to “annihilate” the Iranian regime or pursuing a path to end the conflict.
(UPDATED September 18, 2026 16:02 UTC)
Trump is currently facing an extraordinary new crisis in the Middle East that could potentially surpass the war with Iran, as reported by the UK-based i Paper. The Houthis have announced that the Bab al-Mandab Strait is closed to Saudi shipping, although they have not implemented a broader blockade, and a UN report highlights that 13 percent of crude oil passes through this vital waterway. Meanwhile, Trump has indicated that "anything could happen" in the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict as he prepares for a meeting with Gulf leaders, amid concerns that the war has intensified instability in the region both militarily and economically.
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(UPDATED September 18, 2026 14:01 UTC)
President Trump is currently engaged in a conflict with Iran, claiming that military action is necessary to prevent the country from developing nuclear weapons, while expressing hope that the war is nearing its end. Expert commentary from Nazee Moini highlights the critical nature of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital shipping route impacted by the hostilities, as the price of Brent crude oil has surged to $109.80 per barrel. As tensions rise, Trump is weighing a significant decision regarding U.S. military action, with the Houthis threatening to close the Strait to Saudi shipping amid increasing instability in the region.