GLOBAL ENERGY CRISIS: The global economy faces "major threat" and the current energy crisis is worse than the oil shocks of the 1970s, the International Energy Agency warned, as Asian markets tumbled on the escalating threats. The U.S. moved to ease sanctions on Iranian oil to cool surging prices, but that could be a boon for Tehran.

With his latest Iran ultimatum looming, US President Donald Trump has pushed an anxious Persian Gulf region to the brink of further uncertainty and danger.

U.S. President Donald Trump says he is considering ‘winding down’ the Middle East military operation, but his statement seemed at odds with his administration’s move to send more troops and warships to the region.

US President Donald Trump has described the assistance Ukraine is providing to countries in the Middle East as political PR by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A defiant Iran is threatening to destroy energy infrastructure in Israel and in neighboring countries with U.S. military bases if President Trump follows through on his threat to attack power plants in Iran.

Oil prices look set to rise on Monday after U.S. and ​Iranian trade threats to target energy facilities, analysts said.

British PM to chair Monday meeting including chancellor and Bank of England head on fallout from Iran war; International Energy Agency chief says it will release more stockpiled oil ‘if necessary’

“Dear citizens of Israel — we are at the midway point, but the direction is clear,” Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said. “In about a week, on Passover, the Festival of Freedom, we will continue to fight for our freedom and our future.”

By Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart and Jana Choukeir WASHINGTON/DUBAI, March 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. military is deploying thousands more Marines to the Middle East, officials told Reuters on Friday, as President Donald Trump accused NATO allies of cowardice over their reluctance to send forces to help open the Strait of Hormuz.