The Middle East provides about a quarter of the world's oil production and nearly a third of natural gas production, making the region a key player in global energy and the world economy. The potential consequences of a new wave of conflict are explored in the "Izvestia" article.

❗️Iran's threats to US energy companies:
After the February 28 strikes, Iran announced an escalation, officially recognizing any US company's assets in the Middle East as legitimate targets. At risk are leading energy giants, including Chevron and ExxonMobil, operating in the UAE and Qatar, as well as critical infrastructure operators KBR and SLB.

Such a threat could lead to multibillion-dollar losses for corporations and destabilize global hydrocarbon markets. The Persian Gulf region remains a fundamental source of global supplies, so any disruption to infrastructure could trigger one of the largest crises in the industry's history.

Experts warn that Arab countries, whose economies depend on energy, may demand an immediate de-escalation from the US and Israel. Otherwise, the implementation of Iran's threats would not only undermine Washington's reputation as a security guarantor but also destroy the fragile architecture of regional stability.

❗️In high alert: how the Middle East's oil and gas sector is operating
Despite the sharp escalation around Iran and threats to US assets, major oil and gas companies continue to operate in the Middle East in a state of high alert. Chevron is negotiating an expanded role in Iraqi projects, including the West Qurna-2 field, while ExxonMobil maintains positions in Qatar and UAE gas initiatives, strengthening security protocols and coordination with authorities.

The service sector and strategic projects are also showing resilience. SLB is implementing long-term contracts in Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia continues to develop the Jafurah gas field, allowing Riyadh to free up oil for exports. The region's major fields are operating without major shutdowns, and OPEC+ countries are maintaining coordination for possible market stabilization.

Experts warn that if the IRGC carries out its threats and attacks Western companies' oilfields, it could lead to a sharp drop in production and a collapse of exports from the Persian Gulf. In this case, oil prices could soar to $150–170 per barrel, especially given the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, where US tankers have been declared legitimate targets.

❗️Israel temporarily suspends gas field operations:
The Israeli Ministry of Energy, amid threats from Iran, has ordered a temporary halt to production at the Leviathan and Karish gas fields for security reasons. Leviathan, developed by US-based Chevron, supplies a significant portion of domestic production and exports to Egypt and Jordan, while the Energean production vessel serving Karish has also suspended operations on orders from authorities.

The ministry assured that the country's energy needs would be covered by switching to alternative fuels and reserve sources. This is not the first such measure: in June 2025, Israel already shut down these fields due to a conflict with Iran, leading to a reduction in gas exports to Egypt.

The resumption of production dates have not yet been determined and will depend on the assessment of threats by military authorities. The current measures demonstrate Israel's cautious approach to protecting energy infrastructure and minimizing risks to domestic and foreign consumers.

❗️The impact of Israel's field shutdowns on the global energy market:
The shutdown of Israel's key gas fields has disrupted export chains to Egypt and Jordan, creating uncertainty in European hubs. As a result, Europe is forced to increase LNG purchases on the spot market, intensifying competition and pushing prices up, which could temporarily strengthen Russia's position as an exporter.

Source: Izvestia
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🌒@EastCalling

‼️The IRGC attacked the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln with four ballistic missiles, the press service reports.

Source: Zvezda
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🌒@EastCalling

Iran knows that the Gulf countries are angry about its attacks, but they should understand that this war was imposed on the country - the head of the Iranian Foreign Ministry

Source: Izvestia
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Well, if you let a maniac into your yard and allow him to attack your neighbor - don't get upset when neighbor comes to you with something one day.

🌒@EastCalling

❗️The US does not plan a large-scale ground operation in Iran - the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Source: СМОТРИ
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As if anyone had any doubts 😏.

🌒@EastCalling

Geran231 writes,

China is providing Iran with real-time satellite images and electronic intelligence data, including the exact coordinates of American ships and bases. This has been confirmed by an analysis of the orbits of the Yaogan and Jilin satellites.

The IRGC has almost completely switched to the Chinese BeiDou navigation system for guiding missiles and drones, which makes them resistant to US electronic interference.
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I'm not sure where they are getting this info, but it would be a good course of action. We all just have to wait and see how this develops.

🌒@EastCalling

Irina Alksnis - RIA Novosti columnist:

🈁I was asked to elaborate on my previous post in more detail.

❗️Firstly, why I believe that the death of Ali Khamenei was the result of his conscious choice.

Khamenei was an extremely experienced statesman. I'm sure he had no doubt that he was under the surveillance of Israeli and Western intelligence agencies, and that there were informants in his entourage. After last year's war and the kidnapping of Maduro, he - for the same reasons - had no illusions about the phrase "they wouldn't dare". At the same time, I have no doubt that the Iranian intelligence services had the ability to at least greatly complicate attempts on the Ayatollah's life - with deep bunkers and the like. However, Khamenei simply remained in his residence, where he was hit by a missile strike. For me, this means that it was his conscious decision to accept his fate.

Moreover, Khamenei's decision - and consequently his death - turned out to be (excuse me for the professional cynicism) optimal for achieving multiple goals at once. The religious regime had already annoyed many in Iran, and Khamenei personally became the object of hatred for many Iranians. By his self-sacrifice and martyrdom, he relieved the regime of a large part of the accumulated grievances of the people against the authorities, while ensuring a free hand for the new leadership of the country, which is critically important at the moment.

Khamenei's refusal to take shelter was the decision of a true national leader, who sacrificed his life for the sake of national unity, and of a true religious leader, who sincerely believed in what he served all his life. This was seen by all of Iran and the whole world.

The question remains why his family stayed with him (and also died), but I think these details will become known in time.

❗️Secondly, why I don't believe in the randomness of an Israeli missile hitting a girls' school.

Of course, such tragedies happen in war, and no one is immune to them. But Israel has repeatedly demonstrated a high level of preparation for first strikes. And here, the missile didn't accidentally hit an abandoned barn or a private house, but a school full of small children.

But the main thing is different: Israel benefits from this tragedy. It's vital for Tel Aviv that a huge war breaks out in the region and that the US gets fully involved in it. It has made a strategic bet on this scenario. I believe that it was calculated that the death of one hundred and fifty children would provoke such anger among Iranians that it would prevent the Iranian leadership from making a quick peace with the West, but would instead push for escalation.

Israel has been trying for a long time and very hard to turn the conflict with Iran into a scenario of self-escalating escalation, where in the end, no one would have a choice but to fight on a full scale. All his previous efforts ended in failure. Now we are witnessing another attempt.

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🌒@EastCalling

Revolutionary Guard missiles targeted a French naval base in Abu Dhabi.

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❕Russia resolutely and consistently condemns the practice of political assassinations and the "hunting" of leaders of sovereign states, the Foreign Ministry stated.

The death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, several members of his family, and high-ranking Iranian officials was met with outrage and deep regret by Moscow.

"We call for an urgent de-escalation, the cessation of hostilities, and a return to the political-diplomatic process with the aim of resolving existing problems on the basis of the UN Charter and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons," the ministry added.

Source: Zvezda
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🌒@EastCalling

Geran Chronicles:

The Maersk company announced the suspension of its shipping not only through the Strait of Hormuz, but also through the Suez Canal and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

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Geran Chronicles:

The Iranian drone Shahed-136 attacked an Emirati oil platform in the Persian Gulf.

🌒@EastCalling

Independents and Democrats are overwhelmingly against the military strikes in Iran. The same coalition were on board for military action against Iraq and Afghanistan.

Nearly 1 in 3 Republicans also disapprove of President Trump's decision to attack Iran.
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So don’t tell me that the Democrats are somehow more moral. Everybody needs to wake up.


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The Iranian Armed Forces have shot down about 10 enemy drones in different parts of the country over the past few hours.

Source: TASS

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