Lebanese Journalist Bakr Hijazi Warns of an Escalating Iran‑U.S. Conflict Turning into an Open Economic War
Published on March 3 2026
Lebanese journalist Bakr Hijazi told Mosaïque on Tuesday that the escalation between Iran on one side and the United States and the Zionist entity on the other has moved beyond a mere “influence‑competition” aimed at “preventing Tehran from expanding its control or acquiring a nuclear weapon.” According to Hijazi, the dispute has now become a full‑blown open economic conflict that threatens the stability of the entire region.
How Iran is Pressuring the Gulf
Hijazi explained that, in his view, Iran is exerting pressure by:
- Closing the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint that handles roughly 22 % of global trade.
- Targeting oil installations across the Gulf, thereby disrupting the flow of petroleum products.
These actions, he argues, do not only inconvenience Washington; they also expose Gulf states to direct economic and social risks because of their heavy reliance on the energy sector.
Potential Consequences
- Oil prices could soar to record levels, possibly reaching several hundred dollars per barrel.
- Any disruption of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz would have a major impact on the global economy, given its pivotal role in international commerce.
Hijazi warned that if the current trajectory continues, the region could face unprecedented volatility in energy markets and heightened geopolitical tension.
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Keywords: Iran, United States, Zionist entity, Strait of Hormuz, oil prices, Gulf economies, economic war, regional stability, energy security.
