President Donald Trump met with senior Cabinet members and national security advisers on Friday to discuss whether the United States should significantly expand its military campaign against Iran, according to The New York Times.
The meeting comes as Trump signals he is nearing a decision on whether to launch what he described in an interview with Axios as a “massive attack” on Iran, one that would exceed the scale of recent US operations.
Over the past two weeks, the US has carried out multiple strikes targeting Iran. Despite the attacks, Tehran has maintained its influence over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
At the same time, Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have intensified disruptions around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another critical maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The attacks have delayed tanker traffic and added to concerns over global energy supplies.
The growing conflict is already being felt by consumers. Before the latest escalation, average US gasoline prices had fallen below $3 per gallon. They have since climbed to around $4.10 per gallon as investors price in the risk of prolonged supply disruptions and higher transportation costs.
The dual threat to the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has heightened concerns across energy markets, as the two waterways handle a significant share of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Any prolonged disruption could tighten supplies further and keep oil prices elevated.
