Full-blown conflict in West Asia

As it is the premier oil-rich region, the impact on prices obviously depend on how quickly the US-Israeli attacks on Iran end or whether there is a more prolonged escalation

- N CHANDRA MOHAN

WEST ASIA, THE world’s leading oil-producing region, is at war on several fronts.

Following the massive US-Israeli air strikes on Iran since last Saturday, Tehran has retaliated with a barrage of medium-range ballistic missile and drone strikes targeting US bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and of course Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The US embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were hit in a drone attack, prompting an advisory for all Americans to leave countries across the region. As if all of this weren’t serious enough, Israel is striking Lebanon to target Iran’s proxy group, Hezbollah. All of this makes for a full-blown conflict in the region. The big question naturally is whether it will soon blow over with dialogue and diplomacy or escalate further in the weeks ahead.