The US-Iran war continued to send shockwaves across the globe this week, with President Donald Trump lashing out at allied nations for what he described as insufficient support for the American military effort. Speaking on Tuesday, Trump declared that securing the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil passes — was “not for us,” telling other countries bluntly to “go get your own oil.”
In the same breath, Trump signalled that the American presence in Iran could be winding down, saying the US would leave “very soon.” The contradictory messaging — simultaneously rebuking allies and hinting at withdrawal — has become a hallmark of the administration’s approach to the conflict. Meanwhile, Iran issued threats to target US big-tech interests in the Middle East, opening a new front in the economic dimensions of the war.
The turmoil has had real consequences for everyday consumers. In Australia, a fuel excise cut came into effect on April 1 as the government moved to cushion citizens from surging energy prices driven by the conflict.