Iran attacked US military bases in Bahrain, Iraq, and Jordan in retaliation for overnight US strikes that Tehran said killed at least 18 people, roiling global markets. Oil jumped by more than 5% to $95 a barrel, while Asian stocks slid over worries the latest attacks point to protracted hostilities.
Meanwhile, new reports compounded fears that the conflict is fast metastasizing beyond the Middle East: A Financial Times investigation revealed that Russia has been secretly helping Tehran develop supersonic cruise missiles. The resignation of the US Army chief added to a sense of crisis. âThe Armed Forces appear to be fracturing⊠[when] a unified vision of the future is most needed,â a former US Army officer argued.