Day 48 of Iran War: Pakistan Steps Up Mediation as US-Iran Talks Gain Momentum

Efforts to revive negotiations between the United States and Iran are gaining momentum, with Pakistan acting again as an intermediary. 

The renewed diplomatic push comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions. Iran has warned it may broaden its response to a US naval blockade beyond its territorial waters.

Meanwhile, divisions persist in Washington, where the US Senate has rejected a measure that sought to curb the war without congressional approval.

The economic fallout from the war could deepen global food insecurity, with millions more at...

Day 47 of Iran War: Strait of Hormuz Disruption Persists as Diplomacy Inches Forward

The US said it has fully halted maritime trade in and out of Iran while signaling possible renewed peace talks this week.

Despite reported progress in negotiations, the blockade of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt global shipping, with sanctions pressure and nuclear disputes major sticking points in reaching a lasting deal.

Speaking to Fox News, US President Donald Trump said the Iran war is “very close to over." His comments came as Israeli and Lebanese officials held direct talks...

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows Sales Grew in March As Tax Refunds Offset Rising Gas Prices

Retail sales rose again in March as consumers received higher-than-usual tax refunds that made up for increased gasoline prices, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released today [April 14, 2026] by NRF.

“Retail sales grew for a sixth consecutive month in March as the first wave of tax refunds offset higher gas prices resulting from the conflict in the Middle East,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Despite record low consumer sentiment and the...

Day 46 of Iran War: Trump Says Iran Deal Still Possible Amid Escalating Gulf Tensions 

US and Iranian negotiating teams may return to Islamabad later this week to resume talks aimed at ending the war, following failed weekend negotiations and the US blockade on Iranian ports. 

Iran’s military denounced the blockade as unlawful and warned it could threaten shipping throughout the Gulf. Even with rising tensions, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was still “holding."

Instability in the Strait of Hormuz is increasing pressure on the global energy markets, with roughly 20,000 ships reportedly stuck and major supply chains being disrupted...

Nationwide Survey: Most Farmers Can’t Afford Fertilizer

An overwhelming majority of America’s farmers who responded to a nationwide survey say they cannot afford to purchase enough fertilizer to get them through the year. The percentage who pre-purchased fertilizer varies significantly by region.

Conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation April 3-11, the survey shows 70% of respondents say fertilizer is so expensive that they will not be able to buy all the fertilizer they need.

More than 5,700 farmers, both Farm Bureau members and non-members, from every state and Puerto Rico took the survey. Farm Bureau economists...

Day 45 of Iran War: Oil Prices Surge Above $100 as US Tightens Control Over Iranian Gulf 

The United States said it will begin blockading all Iranian Gulf ports at 10 a.m. ET on Monday, tightening control over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after talks with Iran over the weekend ended without agreement.

US President Trump indicated that US forces would intercept vessels in international waters that had paid what he described as illegal tolls to Iran.

Iran condemned the move as “piracy” and warned it could retaliate against Gulf ports, signaling escalating tensions with no quick reopening of the...

Day 42 of Iran War: Pakistan to Host US-Iran Talks as Fragile Ceasefire Stirs Regional Tensions

A ceasefire between the United States and Iran, brokered by Pakistan, is underway, though uncertainty over its scope is fueling tensions across the region.

Pakistan is set to host talks between US and Iranian officials this weekend as both sides seek to stabilize the agreement.

Gulf states are working to contain the fallout from the war. Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and reaffirmed support for regional allies.

US President Donald Trump said American...

Import Cargo Volumes Face Headwinds From Tariffs and Increasing Fuel Prices

Import volume at major U.S. container ports is not being significantly affected by the conflict in Iran but ocean carriers are seeing a related increase in fuel costs that could eventually affect retailers and their customers, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“Just because retailers don’t import a lot of merchandise from the Middle East doesn’t mean the U.S. supply chain isn’t affected by the turmoil there,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “The supply chain is global and disruptions anywhere along it can have ripple effects whether...

Day 41 of Iran War: Lebanon Mourns After Deadly Israeli Strikes; Iran, US Clash Over Ceasefire Terms

Lebanon declared a national day of mourning after Israeli air strikes killed over 250 people and injured more than 1,000, marking the deadliest bombardment of the current war. 

Iran said a cessation of Israeli strikes in Lebanon was a key condition of its proposed 10-point plan to end the broader Middle East war. Iran's Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said ceasefire talks were “unreasonable” given what he described as repeated violations, including continued attacks in Lebanon.

Confusion persists within the...

Day 40 of Iran War: US, Iran Agree to Two-Week Truce as Hormuz Reopening Tied to Talks

The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week truce late Tuesday, with Tehran committing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under temporary arrangements. The White House said Israel was also party to the truce. 

Under the ceasefire terms, Iran and Oman would coordinate shipping access and could levy transit fees on vessels passing through Hormuz, a critical artery for roughly one-fifth of global oil flows.

The reopening of the strait would free approximately 130 million barrels of crude oil...

Day 39 of Iran War: Trump Says “Whole Civilization Will Die Tonight” if Deal Missed

US President Donald Trump reiterated his threat to Iran to make a deal by his Tuesday deadline, saying a "whole civilization will die tonight" if an agreement is not reached to end the war.

"A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World."

Day 38 of Iran War: Trump Deadline Looms as Strait of Hormuz Tensions Escalate

Tensions are escalating as the 8 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday, April 7, set by US President Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, approaches, with the looming possibility of US strikes on key infrastructure intensifying the standoff.

In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump threatened to target Iran’s civilian infrastructure if the strait is not reopened.

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open...

Day 35 of Iran War: US, Israel Expand Strikes on Iran as Washington Ramps Up Pressure

The United States and Israel have expanded their attacks on Iran as Washington intensifies pressure on the Iranian government.

US President Donald Trump has stepped up his rhetoric, warning that the US military “hasn’t even started” targeting key infrastructure and threatening to intensify its bombing of Iran if it does not agree to Washington’s terms.

Pakistan said it would continue efforts to push Washington and Tehran towards ending the war, though it acknowledged “obstacles” to peace...

Day 34 of Iran War: US-Israel War on Iran Intensifies; Oil Jumps, Tehran Rejects Ceasefire Claims

The United States and Israel stepped up strikes on Iran, with reported casualties and damage across multiple areas, as Iranian forces launched new missile and drone attacks in response.

In an address on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said Washington had “destroyed the Iranian military” and was nearing its war objectives. Trump also said Tehran had sought a ceasefire, a claim Iranian officials denied...

Joint Statement by the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, & World Bank Group

The Heads of the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank Group have agreed to form a coordination group to maximize their institutions’ response to the energy and economic impacts of the war in the Middle East. They issued the following joint statement:

The Middle East war has caused major disruptions to lives and livelihoods in the region and triggered one of the largest supply shortages in global energy market history. The impact is substantial, global, and highly asymmetric, disproportionately affecting energy importers, in particular...

Day 33 of Iran War: US, Israel Intensify Strikes on Iran Amid Diplomatic Deadlock

US and Israeli airstrikes have continued across Iran, targeting industrial and civilian infrastructure, including steel plants and pharmaceutical factories, according to Iranian state media and officials.

US President Donald Trump, who is scheduled to deliver a White House address this evening, said the war could be wrapped up within two to three weeks even without a formal agreement. He warned he might reconsider America’s commitments to NATO if European allies do not play a larger role in countering Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz...

Princes Group Warns of Price Pressures From Middle East Tensions

UK food giant Princes Group is bracing for potential cost increases linked to Middle East geopolitical tensions, particularly around Iran, as the company monitors impacts on energy and raw material markets following its strong 2025 performance.

The Liverpool-based company, which owns brands including Princes, Napolina, and Branston, highlighted ongoing uncertainty in international markets stemming from Middle East conflicts in its preliminary results released Monday. Management specifically cited "the situation in Iran" as a key concern for commodity price volatility...

Day 32 of Iran War: US–Israel Strikes Continue Across Iran, Trump Issues New Threats

US and Israeli forces carried out fresh air strikes across Iran on Tuesday as the war entered its 32nd day.

US President Donald Trump warned that Washington might strike Iran’s key energy infrastructure, including its main oil export hub at Kharg Island, oil wells, and power plants, if no deal is reached and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Following Trump's comments, Iran set ablaze a Kuwait‑flagged crude oil tanker off Dubai. The fire was extinguished with no reported oil spill or crew injuries...

Day 31 of Iran War: US-Israeli Strikes Hit Tehran, Target Power Infrastructure; Oil Rises

Overnight US-Israeli strikes hit Tehran and other cities, with power infrastructure in the Iranian capital among the targets. The attacks triggered a blackout in Tehran, which Iranian authorities said has since been restored.

Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the United States was sending mixed signals, raising the prospect of negotiations while preparing for a possible ground invasion.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said regional talks on Sunday explored ways to bring a swift end to the war, including the possibility of...

Retailers and Platforms Unveil Fuel Relief for Consumers and Drivers

According to Expana’s report Friday on the Middle East conflict, the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz continues to disrupt the movement of oil and fertilizer, driving up energy costs worldwide. 

In response, some companies are rolling out temporary measures intended to help consumers and workers manage higher fuel costs.

Subway, for example, will offer Sub Club members a free footlong sandwich with the purchase of another footlong from April 1 through April 28 at participating locations.

The deal is valid for orders placed...

Day 28 of Iran War: Trump Delays Attacks on Iranian Energy Infrastructure

US President Donald Trump has delayed planned strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure by 10 days until April 6, saying talks with Tehran are “going very well,” despite Iranian officials rejecting the US proposal as unfair.

US and Israeli forces continued strikes on Iranian cities, while Iran fired retaliatory missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf states.

Pakistan said it was relaying messages between Washington and Tehran, with Türkiye and Egypt also supporting mediation efforts as diplomatic activity intensifies to prevent a broader regional conflict.

Officials said mediators were...

Day 27 of Iran War: Trump Asserts Talks Underway as War Continues

The US-Israeli war on Iran shows no sign of abating, with attacks growing more intense even as US President Donald Trump asserts that peace talks are underway, a claim Tehran has denied.

Trump has asserted that Iranian leaders want a deal but fear internal backlash, and the White House has warned it is prepared to “unleash hell” if Iran refuses a resolution.

Markets continue to react. Oil prices are climbing once more amid fading hopes of de-escalation, while analysts warn the war could disrupt global...

MLA: What’s Ahead for the Cattle Market?

Record production forecast as supply stays elevated

Australia’s cattle sector is set for another year of high throughput. Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) 2026 Cattle Industry Projections is pointing to higher slaughter, record beef production and continued export strength.

The report also notes that the conflict involving Iran has added a layer of uncertainty to the 2026 outlook. While it is too early to assess the full implications for the cattle sector, any prolonged disruption could affect the industry’s operating environment through higher input costs, freight pressure and broader supply chain risks....

Day 26 of Iran War: Oil Eases on Ceasefire Hopes as Diplomatic Signals Remain Mixed

The war involving the United States and Israel against Iran has entered its 26th day, marked by continued military escalation alongside increasingly frequent and conflicting diplomatic signals.

Airstrikes and missile exchanges persist across Iran, Israel, and parts of the Gulf, even as talk of negotiations grows. US officials have signaled readiness to escalate military operations while also leaving the door open to diplomacy. Reports of a potential framework to end the war remain unverified, though multiple outlets indicate that a 15-point proposal has been...

Day 25 of Iran War: Trump Claims Iran Talks; Tehran Denies as Attacks Escalate

The US–Israeli war on Iran entered its 25th day on Tuesday amid conflicting signals on diplomacy.

US President Donald Trump said Washington is in talks with Tehran and hinted at a broader deal, but Iranian officials denied this, accusing the US of stalling while reinforcing its military presence.

Trump delayed planned strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure by five days. Meanwhile, fighting continues to escalate. Iran launched new missile attacks on Israel, Gulf states intercepted drones and missiles, and clashes intensified in Lebanon and Iraq.

Iran...

Day 24 of Iran War: Trump Delays Iran Power Plant Strikes for Five Days; Oil Plummets

The US–Israeli war on Iran reached its 24th day on Monday, contributing to a turbulent start to the week for global markets.

President Donald Trump announced a five-day delay in planned US strikes on Iranian power plants to allow time for ongoing negotiations, which he described as "very good and productive". 

However, Iran denied any direct talks and argued that Trump pulled back after facing threats of retaliation. Oil prices swung sharply, climbing earlier in the day before dropping following Trump’s announcement...

Day 21 of Iran War: Iran Intensifies Campaign Against Gulf Arab States

The Iranian campaign against Gulf Arab states is expanding, carried out in response to an Israeli strike earlier this week on the South Pars gas field.

On Friday, Tehran launched an attack on an oil refinery in Kuwait, while Israel continued its bombing of the capital. Kuwait’s national oil company reported that multiple units were taken offline. 

Iranian strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facility cut about 17% of output, potentially for up to five years, according to QatarEnergy...

Economic Storm Worsens for America’s Farmers

Severe weather, high expenses and global uncertainty are hitting farmers from all sides, squeezing them to the breaking point. Fifty-four agriculture groups laid out the challenges facing rural America in a letter to President Trump today.

The letter recognizes progress made last year in enhancing farm risk management tools and securing much-needed tax relief for farmers, but says additional resources are needed during these turbulent times, “As the administration considers a defense supplemental package in the coming weeks, we urge you to include much-needed market relief for America’s farmers...

Day 20 of Iran War: Energy Markets Surge Following Gulf Facility Attacks

The US–Israeli war against Iran has escalated across multiple fronts, involving targeted killings of senior Iranian officials and retaliatory strikes on critical energy infrastructure.

Israel attacked the South Pars gas field on Wednesday and carried out assaults in northern Iran for the first time since the war began in late February.

In response, Iran launched missiles at oil and gas facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, striking Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) hub...

NRF Forecasts 4.4% Annual Retail Sales Growth with New Economic Model

The National Retail Federation today forecast that retail sales in 2026 will grow by 4.4% over 2025 to $5.6 trillion, based on a newly enhanced forecasting approach developed in partnership with Oxford Economics, one of the world’s leading independent economic advisory firms. The announcement was made during NRF’s sixth annual State of Retail & the Consumer virtual event, which examines the health of American consumers and the retail industry.

“Consumer spending was a steady and reliable engine of growth in 2025, even as broader economic conditions fluctuated,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said...

Farmers Applaud Action to Increase Fertilizer Supplies

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on President Trump’s decision to waive Jones Act regulations for fuel and fertilizer imports coming through America’s ports, as Farm Bureau requested.

“Farmers applaud President Trump for temporarily waiving Jones Act regulations to allow more ships to bring critical fuel and fertilizer materials to America’s ports. Spring planting season is already underway and the jump in fertilizer and fuel costs, as well as the threat of shortages, sent shockwaves across rural America at a time when farmers are already grappling with low commodity prices...

Day 19 of Iran War: Middle East Supply Fears Boost Oil 6%; US Eases Shipping Rules

The US-Israeli war on Iran is spreading regionally on its 19th day, with missiles and drones targeting Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan. Israel bombed central Beirut early Wednesday, killing at least six people and marking an expansion of the US-Israeli war against Iran. Iran carried out further retaliatory attacks on Israel, causing significant damage, and vowed revenge after Israeli strikes killed security chief Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani.

Global markets remain volatile as US diesel prices climbed past $5 per gallon on Wednesday, marking their highest level since 2022. Meanwhile, the national average price for...

Day 18 of Iran War: Israel Claims Iran's Security Chief Killed; Oil Regains Some Ground

The US–Israeli war on Iran has entered its 18th day, with escalating strikes across multiple cities causing civilian casualties and widening regional instability.

Iran has retaliated against US assets, while Israel has expanded operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Gulf states report intercepting missiles and drones as airspace disruptions spread.

On Tuesday, Israel said it had killed Iran’s national security chief, while a senior Iranian official stated that the new supreme leader had turned down de-escalation proposals relayed through intermediaries...

Day 17 of Iran War: US Allies Decline Trump's Request to Send Ships to Strait of Hormuz

On the 17th day of the US-Israeli war on Iran, Israel launched a fresh wave of airstrikes on Tehran. Iranian officials dismissed US claims of truce talks, emphasizing readiness to defend the country.

Amid rising tensions in the Gulf region, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the Strait of Hormuz “is open, but closed to our enemies, to those who carried out this cowardly aggression against us and to their allies”.

US President Donald Trump is pushing allies to form a coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz, while Japan and Australia have said...

Day 14 of Iran War: US Temporarily Eases Russian Oil Sanctions; Shipping Risks Mount 

Israeli airstrikes have hit Tehran on the 14^th day of the Iran war as Iran and its allies launch retaliatory attacks across Gulf states, sharply escalating tensions across the region and disrupting global energy markets.

Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route linking the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, remains severely disrupted.

On Friday, the US issued a 30-day license for countries to buy Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded at sea. Oil prices eased following the announcement, though prices are...

Day 13 of Iran War: Strait of Hormuz Tensions Continue, Brent Crude Tops $100 Again

US and Israeli strikes on Iran continued Thursday as the war entered its 13th day, while Tehran intensified retaliatory attacks that have unsettled global energy markets.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran could consider ending the war if its “legitimate rights” are acknowledged, reparations are paid, and binding international guarantees are put in place to prevent future attacks.

Maritime tensions are increasing around the Strait of Hormuz, with reports of tanker attacks off Iraq and drone strikes targeting energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf...

FMI Statement on February CPI Food Price Numbers

Today, FMI – The Food Industry Association commented on the February Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which shows a 0.4% rise in food-at-home prices for January and a 2.4% increase over the last 12 months. FMI Vice President of Tax, Trade, Sustainability and Policy Development Andy Harig offered the following statement.   

“Today’s CPI numbers reflect an uneven grocery price environment and underscore the challenge in bringing down food inflation across all categories to more historical averages...

Day 12 of Iran War: Oil Prices Rebound After Tuesday’s Slide; Maersk Reports Multiple Ships Stranded

On Day 12 of the US-Israel war on Iran, Israel continued its bombardment of Tehran and intensified its bombings across Lebanon. Iranian retaliatory strikes persist, as several Gulf states, including Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, report intercepting missiles and drones in their airspace.

The US military says it has destroyed 16 inactive Iranian mine-laying vessels, following a warning from US President Donald Trump of “grave consequences” if oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted...

Farm Bureau President Offers Solutions to Increase Demand of Homegrown Food, Fiber & Renewable Fuel

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall yesterday offered a variety of solutions for increasing demand of U.S.-grown agricultural goods during testimony before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry. He joined several other agriculture leaders to share priorities to address a structural imbalance that threatens both farmers’ livelihoods and food security in the U.S.

“We must strengthen domestic demand for American agricultural products. We must reinforce our production capacity of critical ag supplies and restore domestic processing capacity. We must ensure our safety nets are strong and expand fair and enforceable market access abroad,” Duvall noted in his opening comments...

Day 11: Trump Says Iran War Could End “Very Soon,” But Not This Week

On the 11th day of the US–Israel war on Iran, Tehran endured what officials described as some of the heaviest overnight bombardments so far.

Speaking on Monday, US President Donald Trump commented that the war could end “very soon,” but noted that it would not be over this week. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded that Iran would continue fighting for as long as necessary, casting doubt on Trump’s claim that the war may cease in the near future.

Crude oil prices fell more than 10% Tuesday...

Import Cargo Volume Expected to Be Down in First Half of 2026, But Too Soon to Tell Impact from Iran

Imports at major U.S. container ports are expected to remain below last year’s levels for the first half of 2026 amid ongoing tariff uncertainty, but it is too soon to gauge the impact of the conflict in Iran, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“The Supreme Court has struck down IEEPA tariffs but other tariffs have already been announced and others will be coming, so uncertainty continues for retailers...

AFBF Calls for Intervention to Prevent Food Supply Shocks

U.S. farmers are bracing for a system shock resulting from the disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the impact on fertilizer availability and prices. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall today urged President Trump to intervene in a letter that lays out several recommendations.

The letter states, “Like oil, global fertilizer markets are highly vulnerable to disruptions in maritime transit routes, especially through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor for key fertilizer materials and finished fertilizer. Further, the recent energy production halts in the Middle...

Crude Oil Set for Record Daily Surge as Iran War Enters Tenth Day

On Monday, the United States and Israel continued their attacks on Iran during the tenth day of the war, with Israeli strikes on oil facilities in Iran causing toxic smoke across Tehran. 

Meanwhile, Iranian forces sustained their retaliatory strikes on US military assets and other key infrastructure in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The latest Iranian attacks on Bahrain have damaged a water desalination plant.

More than a week after the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes...

US-Israel War on Iran Enters Seventh Day Amid Ongoing Strikes and Regional Fallout

The US-Israel war on Iran has entered its seventh day, with strikes continuing across the Middle East. 

Regional impacts are mounting. In Kuwait and Bahrain, missile attacks from Iran were intercepted, with a fire contained at a Bahraini oil refinery. The UAE and Qatar faced multiple missile and drone strikes, while Tel Aviv was targeted in Iran’s attacks.

Israel intensified its bombardment in Lebanon, and Azerbaijan suspended cross-border traffic following drone attacks...

US–Israel War on Iran Escalates With New Strikes, Senate Backs Trump’s War Powers

On the sixth day of the US-Israeli war on Iran, new strikes hit Iran and the wider region, with explosions reported again in Tehran. Israel has launched attacks on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, and multiple waves of Iranian missiles were fired toward Israel overnight.

The US Senate rejected a measure to limit US President Donald Trump’s war powers as Washington signaled deeper strikes in Iran, following a US torpedo attack that sank an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka. The war appears likely to persist, with US officials signaling operations could last weeks...

Farmers Impacted by Fuel and Fertilizer Volatility

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on potential fuel and fertilizer supply issues following military action in Iran.

"We are hearing a groundswell of concern from farmers facing increased volatility in fertilizer and fuel prices, as well as some reports of companies freezing fertilizer sales, at a critical time with planting season coming into full swing. History teaches us that energy market shocks quickly reach the farm gate and countries in and around the Persian Gulf account for a large share of fertilizer supplies our farmers rely on, so it’s a serious issue. We’ve alert...

US‑Israeli Strikes on Iran Enter Fifth Day as Shipping Companies Divert Vessels 

The United States and Israel have launched strikes against Iran for a fifth day, targeting military, government, and nuclear-related sites in and around Tehran. In response, Iran has launched retaliatory missiles and drones, striking energy infrastructure and diplomatic compounds across the Gulf.

The conflict is expanding regionally, with heightened security alerts across Gulf states and reports of damage to civilian and economic infrastructure. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy chokepoint, has experienced significant disruptions threatening worldwide oil flows...

Iran War Enters Fourth Day, Driving Higher Crude Prices and Broad Commodity Swings

The US-Israeli war on Iran intensified into its fourth day, with Tehran reporting a death toll of 787 as strikes continue to target leadership and infrastructure. Israel’s campaign, initially described as a two-week operation, is reportedly advancing faster than expected, with no firm end date signaled. US President Donald Trump said the war could last four to five weeks.

Global markets remain on edge. Crude oil surged nearly 4% in overnight trade, while European equities fell sharply. US stock futures also pointed lower, with the three major indices last shedding about 2%...

How the US‑Iran Conflict Is Affecting Global Commodity Markets

US and Israeli strikes on Iran over the weekend, which killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have sparked significant disruptions in energy, freight, and wider commodity and agricultural markets.

Oil surged at the start of the week, global stock markets wavered, and the energy and shipping sectors have become central to an escalating crisis as commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has halted to a near standstill. 

On Monday, the US-Israeli air campaign against Iran escalated, extending the conflict to Lebanon as Israel responded to strikes by...

Expana Webinar on March 3: The Expanding Impact of Hormuz Disruption

Escalating conflict in the Middle East has triggered significant volatility across global energy, shipping and commodity markets, with transit through the Strait of Hormuz severely disrupted. Crude oil prices have surged, tanker traffic has slowed, and risk premiums are rising as geopolitical tensions intensify. The implications extend beyond energy, with emerging knock-on effects across fertilizers, agriculture and global food markets.  

Expana will host a live Intelligence Briefing delivering coordinated, cross-market analysis of this fast-moving situation. Our specialists will assess the impact on