Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/irans-missile-range-double-expectations-us-airlines-cut-flights-25-of-us-farmers-without-fertilizer/
Geopolitics
Iran launched two ballistic missiles at Diego Garcia hours after Britain permitted U.S. use of the base for strikes on Iranian missile sites. The base lies 4,000 kilometers from Iran, double the 2,000-kilometer range previously claimed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. One missile failed mid-flight, and a U.S. warship fired an SM-3 interceptor at the second, with interception success unclear. The attempt expands Iranâs demonstrated threat radius to include most of Europe, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and India.
International support of the war continues to be mixed. Sri Lanka rejected a U.S. request to land two fighter jets at Mattala International Airport on February 26, alongside denying Iranâs bid for three naval vessels, citing a desire to maintain neutrality ahead of the Iran conflict. The decision followed a U.S. submarine strike on the Iranian warship IRIS Dena off Sri Lankaâs coast. The island nation, a U.S. ally and export market recipient of nearly $3 billion annually, has hosted U.S. aircraft logistics in the past.
All that said, President Trump stated the United States is close to meeting Iran war objectives, including degrading Iranian missile capabilities, destroying its defense industrial base, eliminating its navy and air force, preventing nuclear advancement, and protecting allies like Israel and Gulf states. He plans to wind down operations, handing Strait of Hormuz policing to nations using it, as Iran has targeted only U.S. and Israeli shipments. Critics contended the war remains unresolved, citing the Straitâs continued closure, U.S. casualties, and escalating costs.
Shifting to Ukraine, Russia reportedly proposed halting intelligence sharing with Iran, including coordinates of U.S. assets in the Middle East, if the United States stops providing intelligence to Ukraine, according to sources familiar with U.S.-Russia talks in Miami involving envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Trump administration figures Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The U.S. rejected the offer. However, some reports suggest Russia officially denied making such a proposal.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor OrbĂĄn stated he will block all EU decisions favoring Ukraine until Russian oil flows resume via the Druzhba pipeline. Hungary and Slovakia have faced halted shipments since a January 27 airstrike, which Budapest accuses Ukraine of failing to repair despite EU assistance. OrbĂĄn has previously blocked a âŹ90 billion loan for Ukraine and new sanctions on Moscow, stating that without the oil, Hungarian households and companies risk bankruptcy. EU leaders labeled OrbĂĄnâs threats as blackmail and vowed to provide aid to Ukraine regardless.
Shifting further east, China offered Taiwan energy security measures as part of reunification talks amid Middle East disruptions. However, Taiwan rejected the offer outright, describing it as cognitive warfare.
Energy
Saudi officials warned that crude oil prices could reach $180 per barrel or higher if supply disruptions from the Iran conflict persist into late April, potentially driving U.S. gasoline prices above $7 per gallon. Brent crude has already climbed to around $119 per barrel, up 50 percent since late February, following attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure and the effective shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia exported up to 6 million barrels per day through the strait before the conflict. Producers including Iraq, Kuwait, and the UAE have curtailed exports due to limited alternatives. The kingdom rerouted crude via its East-West pipeline to Yanbu, with exports there projected at a record 3.8 million barrels per day this month, though capacity falls short of full replacement. Attacks on refining infrastructure and a liquefied natural gas facility in Qatar have heightened fears of broader shortages, with oil traders betting on prices up to $150. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell noted that sustained energy price increases could pressure economic growth and drive inflation. Some analysts described the $180 figure as a political signal from Riyadh to pressure Washington rather than a literal forecast.
Relatedly, global oil markets have diverged, with Brent at $113 per barrel, U.S. WTI around $97, and Asian benchmarks like Oman crude exceeding $150. Asia faces pressure due to reliance on Gulf imports through Hormuz, reportedly prompting demand destruction in China and India.
Meanwhile, dealerships for Chinese EV maker BYD in the Philippines logged a full monthâs orders in two weeks, while Vietnamâs VinFast reported fourfold showroom traffic and doubled sales. Thailand, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia saw 20 percent or higher sales increases, with inventory shortages emerging. Asian Development Bank chief economist Albert Park stated higher oil prices create incentives for the green transition. Critics noted that electric vehicles remain expensive outside China, often rely on coal power, and face infrastructure limitations.
Lastly, the United States and Japan announced a $40 billion pact to build advanced small modular nuclear reactors in Tennessee and Alabama, involving GE Vernova and Hitachi. The BWRX-300 units, each about 300 megawatts, are intended to stabilize electricity prices and bolster energy security amid global tensions including the Iran conflict. During a joint press conference, President Trump referenced Pearl Harbor in response to questions on Iran strike coordination with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, drawing mixed reactions on social media. Japan adhered to constitutional limits on military involvement, offering no warships for Hormuz despite U.S. requests, but plans to join the Golden Dome missile defense initiative.
Economy
United Airlines announced a 5 percent cut to scheduled flights in the second and third quarters, citing preparations for oil prices up to $175 per barrel through 2027 amid the Iran conflict. Jet fuel costs have nearly doubled since late February due to reroutings and airspace restrictions, potentially raising the airlineâs annual fuel bill by $11 billion. Chief Executive Scott Kirby stated the carrier would cancel off-peak flights, reduce capacity at Chicago OâHare, and suspend Tel Aviv and Dubai service, prioritizing profitable routes despite strong demand that has allowed fare increases. The 10 biggest booked revenue weeks occurred in the past 10 weeks, a pattern echoed by Delta and American. Some critics warned of depression risks if high oil prices persist, attributing disruptions partly to U.S. strikes on Iranian facilities.
In the COMEX market, gold options for December 2026 at strikes of $15,000 to $20,000 have seen significant buying, totaling around 11,000 contracts or 1.1 million ounces valued at $5.17 billion at current prices near $4,700 per ounce. The positions built after gold peaked above $5,600 and fell sharply, diverging from retail selling during the correction. Bank targets for 2026 range from $6,100 to $6,300 per ounce. Skeptics characterized the buying as routine deep out-of-the-money hedging against volatility rather than a directional bet on extreme price levels.
US Politics
The TRUMP AMERICA AI Act, a 291-page bill introduced by Senator Marsha Blackburn, would repeal Section 230 of the Communications Act, remove liability protections for online platforms hosting user-generated content, expand legal exposure for platforms and AI developers (including for defective design, failure to warn, or unreasonably dangerous systems), and impose a broad duty of care on AI developers to prevent reasonably foreseeable harms. It directs NIST to set standards for content provenance and watermarking of AI-generated media, states that using copyrighted material for AI training does not qualify as fair use, requires quarterly reporting on AIâs job impacts, and establishes the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource for shared compute and data. Critics argue that repealing Section 230 and expanding liability could lead to preemptive content restrictions by platforms to avoid lawsuits, potentially chilling speech and controlling visibility on high-stakes topics regardless of accuracy.
Shifting to the Iran War, the United States approved emergency arms sales totaling over $16 billion to Gulf allies including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Jordan, bypassing standard congressional review amid Iranian attacks. The UAE package features $4.5 billion for THAAD systems, $2.1 billion for counter-drone systems, and munitions. Kuwait received $8 billion for missile defense radars, and Jordan got $70.5 million in aircraft support. The moves follow strikes on regional infrastructure and a U.S. base in Jordan. Critics described the sales as indicative of a prolonged conflict benefiting defense contractors.
Meanwhile, the Senate rejected a motion to discharge S.J. Res. 118, which sought to require congressional approval for U.S. forces in Iran under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, in a 47-53 vote mostly along party lines. Senator Cory Booker introduced the measure, arguing it upholds constitutional limits on presidential war powers.
Health
One in four American farmers lacks fertilizer for spring planting, according to the Agriculture Secretary, as farm bankruptcies rose 46 percent in 2025. About 160,000 farms have closed since 2017, with fewer than half expected to profit this year. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized USDA efforts to support farmers through reorganization and reduced bureaucracy. By this time of year, most farmers have typically secured fertilizer.
In other news, U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai granted blue statesâ motion for summary judgment, vacating HHS Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr.âs declaration barring breast removal and other procedures for minors with gender dysphoria. Kennedyâs late 2025 statement, based on an HHS report citing risks like infertility, deemed such treatments unsafe and ineffective, barring Medicare and Medicaid-participating hospitals from performing them. New York and 18 states sued, arguing it violates provider choice statutes. At least 17 facilities faced referrals for violations. Conservative commentators decried the ruling as activist lawfare overriding scientific concerns.
Sources
Saudis Warn: Oil to $180, Gas to $7 if Iran Disruptions Persist
Saudis Warn Oil Going to $180, Gasoline to $7 at Pump
Source | Submitted by PhilH
United Airlines Cuts 5% of Flights, Bracing for $175 Oil Amid Iran War
Thereâs no point in burning cash in the near term on flying that just canât absorb these fuel costs,
Source | Submitted by PhilH
Chinaâs Energy Security Bait for Taiwan Reunification Amid Mideast Mayhem
China makes energy security âreunificationâ offer to Taiwan amid Middle East war
Insiders Bet Big on $15,000 Gold by 2026 After Epic Selloff
Insiders are buying COMEX Gold options at $15,000 â $20,000 for December 2026.
OrbĂĄn Vows to Block All EU Ukraine Aid Until Russian Oil Flows Resume
We are ready to support Ukraine when we get our oil, which is blocked by them
US Rushes Billions in Arms to Gulf Allies, Bypassing Congress Amid Iran Escalation
US Fast-Tracks Billions In âEmergencyâ Arms Sales To Gulf, Bypassing Congress
Senate Rejects Bid to Curb Trumpâs Iran War Powers
Senate Again Rejects Effort to Restrict Trumpâs Iran War Powers
US-Japan Unveil $40B Nuclear Pact; Trumpâs Pearl Harbor Quip Goes Viral
US-Japan Announce $40 Billion Nuclear Deal; Trump Cracks Awkward Pearl Harbor Joke
Sri Lanka Rejects US Fighter Jet Request Amid Iran War Tensions: More Ally Pushback Ahead?
With two requests before us, the decision was clear
Asiaâs Oil Crisis Ignites EV Sales Boom
EV Demand Surges Across Asia After Energy Shock Sends Consumers Into Panic Mode
Putinâs Quid Pro Quo: Halt Iran Intel If US Stops Ukraine Aid
Moscow proposed a quid pro quo to the U.S. under which the Kremlin would stop sharing intelligence information with Iran, such as the precise coordinates of U.S. military assets in the Middle East, if Washington ceased supplying Ukraine with intel about Russia.
Blackburnâs TRUMP AMERICA AI Act: Scrapping Section 230 for Centralized Control and Platform Liability
âTRUMP AMERICA AI Actâ Repeals Section 230, Expands Liability, and Establishes Centralized Federal Control Over AI Systems
âRadicalâ Biden Judge Overturns RFK Jr.âs Ban on Transgender Surgeries for Minors
âRadicalâ Biden Judge Reverses RFK Jr. On Trans-Child Surgeries, Other Procedures
Trump: Iran War Objectives Nearly Met, Eyes Winding Down U.S. Operations
We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East with respect to the Terrorist Regime of Iran
Iranâs Diego Garcia Missiles Double Claimed Range, Redraw Threat Map
One island. Two missiles. Four thousand kilometres. Zero confirmed impacts. And a map that just doubled in every direction from Tehran.
Americaâs Farmers in Crisis: 1 in 4 Without Fertilizer as Bankruptcies Surge 46%
Nobody is telling you how fucked the farmers are in America right now.
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Arc Strategic Global, @1743DS4317, @AyeshaCH70, Brian Krassenstein, Bloomberg, @jagaa_official, @PolyCopy_trade, TaiwanPlus News, The Straits Times, AP News, Reuters, Politico.eu, War Monitor, @FurkanGozukara, Axios, The Washington Post, Common Dreams, The Guardian, Marsha Blackburn, Cato Institute, @amuse, Libs of TikTok, The Kansas City Star, and Brooke Rollins.
