Posted 1/2/2024, 8:54:00 PM
Rising Middle East Tensions Raise Fears of Wider Regional Conflict
- Oil traders so far unfazed by rising Middle East tensions, but that could change
- Iran at center of 3 potential wider conflict flashpoints Houthi attacks on shipping, Lebanon/Hezbollah, Iraq militias
- Houthi attacks on Saudi targets paused since Saudi-Iran tensions cooled last March
- Expanding Israel/Hamas war into Lebanon would present "clear pathway" to regional war given Iran ties to Hezbollah
- If Iran-backed militias in Iraq kill U.S. soldiers, could draw U.S. back into fighting there