HARARE — Tensions between Iran and the United States have sharply escalated following conflicting accounts of a high-risk military rescue operation in central Iran and a looming diplomatic deadline over access to the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The developments have raised fears of wider conflict, with global oil markets and international observers closely monitoring the situation.

Donald Trump has warned European members of NATO that the alliance could face a “very bad future” if they refuse to assist in securing the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to the Financial Times, Trump urged countries that depend on energy shipments passing through the waterway to contribute to its protection. Countries including the United Kingdom and France, as well as major oil-importing nations such as Japan, South Korea, and China, should join what Trump de

The United Arab Emirates has denied Israeli media reports claiming Abu Dhabi was responsible for an air strike on a desalination facility in Iran, as tensions continue to escalate in the Gulf region.

In a televised address on Tuesday, Macron said he had directed the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier strike group to move toward the region in response to growing threats to key global shipping routes.

DUBAI — Two commercial vessels were struck on Sunday in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security agencies reported, as Iran pressed a second day of retaliatory strikes following reported U.S.‑Israeli air raids. The incidents prompted shipping companies to reroute vessels and raised fresh concerns about safety in one of the world’s busiest energy corridors.

The morning of February 28, 2026, may mark a turning point in Middle East geopolitics, as escalating tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran appear to have entered a new and dangerous phase.