Oil prices fluctuate, Trump threatens “total destruction” – These four things are good to know now about the war in the Middle East

Finland time on Wednesday morning, the US president expires Donald Trump’s deadline given to Iran.

Trump has demanded that Iran agree to a ceasefire and open the Strait of Hormuz, which is important for energy transport.

At Monday’s press conference, Trump talked about the plan to strike “every bridge” and “every power plant” in Iran.

“I mean complete destruction by midnight,” Trump threatened, specifying that it would take a hundred years to repair the damage of a possible attack.

Deadlines have already been set for Iran in the past, of which there are then flexed.

Wall Street Journalin according to the US negotiators are pessimistic about the possibility that an agreement could be reached with Iran before the deadline set by Trump. Citing sources, WJS reports that Iranian representatives believe the US and Israel will continue their airstrikes even if a deal is reached.

On Tuesday, the attacks have continued on both sides of the Middle East. Israel, among other things, called on social media to avoid traveling by train in Iran on Tuesday, because it leads to “danger to life”.

10-point peace plan

New York Times says that on Monday Iran submitted a 10-point proposal on ending the war through Pakistan.

Iran demands an end to attacks on the country, an end to Israel’s attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the lifting of all sanctions.

In return, Iran would promise to open the Strait of Hormuz. Vessels using the sea route would be charged a fee of around two million dollars per vessel, which the country would share with Oman. According to the plan, the proceeds would be used to rebuild the country’s infrastructure. In this way, Iran would not demand direct compensation for the damages caused by the attacks.

President Trump considered the peace plan a “significant step”, but “not good enough”.

A “smoke screen” before a major attack?

Brent crude oil rose to $111 per barrel on Tuesday morning as the deadline set by Trump approached. After 11 o’clock Finnish time, the price of oil turned down and has since fluctuated between 108 and 111 dollars.

Ye Lin research company Rystad Energysta evaluate BBC:llethat investors may believe in the prolongation of the war. According to Lin, at the same time, the market is trying to find out if Trump really wants a peace agreement or if it is just a matter of creating a “smoke screen” before a larger military attack.

The price of Brent oil has risen by more than 50 percent since Israel and the United States started military measures against Iran six weeks ago.

Iran has blocked almost all traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the main oil ports of the Persian Gulf to the world market. Only a few ships have been allowed to move in the strait.

An estimated fifth of the entire world’s oil and gas transport uses narrow waterways.

Rescue operation in Iran

The second crew member of the US F-15 fighter jet shot down by Iran on Friday was rescued over the weekend after a special operation.

The officer who monitored the plane’s weapons systems was found after a second day of searching. According to media reports, the officer was hiding wounded in the mountains of Iran.

The pilot had already been rescued earlier.