창간 80주년 경향신문

Iran seals the Strait of Hormuz… U.S. warns of ‘ground troops’

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps “No oil will get out” If it drags on, a global recession is inevitable Trump hints at the possibility of ‘large-scale strikes’On the fourth day of armed clashes with the United States and Israel, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared a full closure of the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to attack any vessel attempting to transit. U.S. President Donald Trump raised the possibility of a ‘ground troop deployment’, signaling that a large-scale strike...

2026.03.04 14:52

If the U.S.-Iran war drags on, oil at $100… growth down 0.3 percentage point

An analysis suggests that if global oil prices remain around $100 per barrel due to the war between the United States and Israel and Iran, the economic growth rate would fall by 0.3 percentage point.In a report released on the 3rd, ‘The impact of the U.S.-Iran war on the Korean economy and implications’, the Hyundai Research Institute projected the annual average international oil price for this year by scenario for how the U.S.-Iran war could unfold, and analyzed how each scenario would aff...

2026.03.04 14:52

Iran-sparked ‘stray bullet’ hits KOSPI head-on

The exchange rate also surged, threatening ‘1,470 won’ Financial markets wobbled on inflation fearsOn the 3rd, the first domestic trading day after the U.S. airstrike on Iran, the local financial market staggered in an Iran-driven ‘Black Tuesday’. The KOSPI fell more than 7%, marking the largest one-day drop on record. The won-dollar exchange rate, which had recently been trending lower, leapt by more than 26 won to threaten 1,470 won, and government bond yields also jumped, leaving all as...

2026.03.04 14:52

Trump “The solid U.S.-U.K. relationship has changed”…a rift with U.K. Prime Minister Starmer

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not actively providing British military bases during the strike on Iran. A rift appears to be widening between the two governments of the United States and the United Kingdom.On the 3rd (local time), the British tabloid The Sun reported that, in a phone interview, President Trump said, “(The U.S.-U.K. relationship) was the strongest ever,” and, “Now we have very strong relationships with other European...

2026.03.04 14:51

After approving airstrikes on Iran, Trump threw up a smoke screen by saying nuclear talks were under way

Assessments are that U.S. President Donald Trump conducted a smoke screen, as he made comments suggesting that nuclear talks with Iran would continue even after he ordered a full scale air assault on Iran.At the first Ministry of National Defense briefing held 57 hours after the start of the Iran attack on the 2nd (local time), Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Kane said that President Trump had approved the launch of the Iran operation, named Grand Fury, at 3:38 p.m. on the 27th of...

2026.03.04 14:51

U.S. administration offers differing statements on the ‘justification·objectives’ of striking Iran

Trump cites ‘imminent threat to the U.S.’ Rubio: “Iranian attack on Israel” On operation objectives, Trump: ‘regime change’ Rubio: ‘destruction of nuclear·missile capabilities’With regard to the ‘imminent threat’ U.S. President Donald Trump cited as the justification for the strike on Iran, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (photo) said the threat meant ‘Iranian attack on Israel,’ raising fresh questions about the legitimacy of the strike. There are also criticisms that members of the U....

2026.03.04 14:51

Retaliation upon retaliation, a ‘widening front’… 300 million civilians in the Middle East in the heart of war

On the 3rd (local time), the fourth day of armed clashes between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, the conflict was spreading uncontrollably across the Middle East. Iran, in retaliation against the United States and Israel, attacked Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and even the British military base in Cyprus. Israel, while continuing its offensive against Iran, is widening the front to Lebanon by bombing B...

2026.03.04 14:51

Trump “Ground troops if necessary” signals willingness to endure a long war amid strong Iranian counterstrikes

U.S. President Donald Trump on the 2nd (local time) said the “big wave” has not yet arrived and foreshadowed additional large-scale strikes against Iran. He signaled a willingness to endure a prolonged conflict, saying he could deploy ground troops “if necessary.” It appears he aims to raise the intensity of the attacks to completely neutralize Iran’s counterstrike capabilities, which have proven stronger than expected.At a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House in Washington, President ...

2026.03.04 14:51

Iran mounts a volume offensive with ‘suicide drones’ priced at $50,000 (73,000,000 KRW)… US allies bear the burden of interceptor missiles at ‘$4 million (6,000,000,000 KRW) per shot’

The Iranian attack drone ‘Shahed-136’, which has threatened the skies over Europe including Ukraine, has emerged as a key variable on Middle Eastern battlefields. According to the UK Guardian on the 2nd (local time), Iran is estimated to have launched more than 1,000 drones toward Gulf states including Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) since US-Israeli airstrikes began on the 28th of last month.A significant share of these are likely ‘Shahed-136’. The UAE said that by this a...

2026.03.04 14:51

U.S. State Department advises citizens to “leave the Middle East immediately”

On the 2nd (local time), the U.S. State Department cited a “serious security risk” and advised American citizens staying in the Middle East to “leave immediately.” However, with the airspace of several Middle Eastern countries now closed, about 1 million travelers, including Americans, are stranded in the region.Mora Namdar, the State Department’s Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, said on X that “due to serious security risks, the Department of State strongly advises Americans stayin...

2026.03.04 14:51