The country’s two largest steel plants have also been forced offline by repeated US and Israeli strikes, companies said. “This is not my first choice,” said a writer named Jeffrey at a meal in a Tel Aviv bunker. Against that backdrop, Trump has warned that further strikes could target Iran’s energy infrastructure if no deal is reached. Oil prices surged to around US$110 ($192) a barrel on Thursday after Trump warned of further strikes, even as equity markets struggled for direction. Even the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is feeling the strain, with fuel shortages triggering long queues in the capital Thimphu.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 02, 2026 20:08 UTC