West Asia War Day 24: Trump & Iran Trade Threats; IEA Chief Warns of 'Worst Energy Crisis'
The West Asia war enters day 24 as Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz, triggering fears of the world’s worst energy crisis; Gulf nations face escalating retaliatory attacks; Trump issues 48-hour ultimatum
March 23, 2026 - The West Asia war, involving the US, Israel and Iran, has entered its 24th day and left the world facing its "worst energy crisis". At least 40 energy assets have been severely damaged in the Mideast war so far, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA) chief Fatih Birol.
Birol has warned that the situation is “very severe” and that the world is potentially looking at the “worst energy crisis”. He has called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz which has been blocked by Iran and issued a warning that if this is not done soon then no country in the world will be immune to the impact of this crisis.
“The global economy is facing a major, major threat today, and I very much hope that this issue will be resolved as soon as possible… No country will be immune to the effects of this crisis if it continues to go in this direction. So there is a need for global efforts,” he said while speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra.
In the meantime, US President Donald Trump has given a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to open up the Strait of Hormuz or look at the decimation of its energy infrastructure.
Iran has retaliated with a warning to completely shut the Strait of Hormuz and launch retaliatory attacks on regional energy and water infrastructure if the US attacked its power plants.
On day 24 morning of the conflict, Israel launched, what it called, a “wave of extensive strikes targeting” government infrastructure in Tehran. There were reports of “terrible sounds of explosions” in five areas of Iran's capital and the size and volume of the blasts are being described as “unprecedented”.
Retaliatory strikes by Iran has targeted UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain. The UAE’s National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority on Monday (March 23) said the country’s air defences are “currently responding to incoming missile threat from Iran” and is urging citizens to remain in a safe place.
UAE authorities have said that an Indian national was injured when shrapnel fell after interception of a ballistic missile over an industrial area near Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi.
Saudi Arabia has on Monday intercepted two ballistic missiles and one drone.
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