Global Pulse

标签： Asia

亚洲

  • Tensions soar as Hegseth and Rubio feud over US troops in Iran

    Tensions soar as Hegseth and Rubio feud over US troops in Iran

    A significant policy division has emerged within the highest echelons of the US government regarding military strategy toward Iran, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in intense disagreements over potential ground troop deployment. According to three former US officials and a senior regional official familiar with the matter, the cabinet members have been described as “at each other’s throats” regarding whether to accede to Israel’s request for American boots on the ground.

    Secretary Hegseth, known for his combative media style from his Fox News background, has expressed support for more direct military intervention. In contrast, Secretary Rubio has demonstrated considerable caution about entangling the United States in another prolonged Middle Eastern conflict. This fundamental disagreement reflects broader tensions within the administration about the scope and objectives of military engagement with Iran.

    The current US approach has primarily relied on aerial bombardment and standoff strikes utilizing cruise and ballistic missiles. However, recent reporting indicates an expansion of covert operations, with CNN revealing that the CIA has initiated training and arms provision to Kurdish fighters operating within Iranian territory. According to one Gulf official, discussions have even included deploying special operations teams to target high-ranking Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials and nuclear program personnel.

    The philosophical divide between the officials extends to their public communication strategies. When questioned about potential troop deployments, Hegseth responded with characteristic defiance: “Why in the world would we tell you, the enemy, anybody, what we will or will not do in pursuit of an objective.” Meanwhile, Rubio has shown greater sensitivity to domestic opposition against placing American soldiers in harm’s way.

    Complicating matters further, military personnel have reportedly expressed discomfort with certain commanders framing the conflict in religious terms, describing it as “part of God’s plan” that would facilitate the return of Jesus Christ. Hegseth, who possesses a Crusader cross tattoo on his chest and identifies as an ultra-conservative Christian, has not publicly addressed these concerns.

    President Trump has maintained strategic ambiguity regarding ground operations, telling The New York Post: “I don’t have the yips with respect to boots on the ground – like every president says, ‘There will be no boots on the ground.’ I don’t say it. I say ‘probably don’t need them,’ [or] ‘if they were necessary’.”

    The administration’s stated objectives have similarly fluctuated between destroying Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and nuclear program to openly advocating for regime change. This week, Rubio initially suggested military action was precipitated by intelligence suggesting an imminent Israeli attack on Iran, though he subsequently retracted this explanation.

    The human cost of the conflict continues to mount, with at least six US service members confirmed killed. During a recent press briefing, Hegseth lamented that military achievements were being overshadowed by combat casualties: “We’ve taken control of Iran’s airspace and waterways without boots on the ground. We control their fate. But when a few drones get through or tragic things happen, it’s front-page news.”

  • Iranian strike kills 11-year-old Iranian in Kuwait

    Iranian strike kills 11-year-old Iranian in Kuwait

    An 11-year-old girl has become the first child casualty in Gulf nations amid escalating regional conflicts, after remnants of an Iranian rocket struck a residential building in Kuwait’s capital governorate of Al-Asimah. Alna Abdullah was pronounced dead in the early hours of Wednesday following nearly 30 minutes of unsuccessful resuscitation efforts by medical teams.

    While four other family members present in the home escaped serious injury, local media described them as non-Kuwaiti nationals. Funeral footage and interviews suggest the family may be of Iranian descent, reflecting Kuwait’s complex demographic landscape where approximately 40 percent of citizens are Shia Muslims of Iranian origin.

    The tragedy occurs against a backdrop of intensified regional violence, coming just hours after Kuwait buried two military personnel killed in Iranian attacks. This week also witnessed the deaths of six American soldiers in Kuwait, which hosts three major US military bases and several smaller US-operated facilities.

    Remarkably, these attacks have fostered unexpected national unity following years of political tension. Since the emir dissolved parliament—the only elected legislative body in the Gulf—and revoked citizenship from tens of thousands over fraud allegations, approximately 16 percent of Kuwaitis have lost their citizenship status as of last month.

    The health minister recently faced online criticism after stating that none of the patients transferred to hospital following Iranian attacks were Kuwaiti nationals. This comment sparked public discourse about Kuwait’s demographic composition, where citizens constitute only about 30 percent of the population, with nearly 45 percent being South Asian nationals.

    In response to growing tensions, former national assembly speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim struck a conciliatory tone at Abdullah’s funeral, declaring that “all who live on the land of Kuwait, according to Kuwaitis, is a Kuwaiti.”

    Kuwait has formally requested both the UN Secretary General and Security Council president to condemn Iran’s “heinous” attacks, which Kuwait asserts violate its sovereignty and airspace, according to Kuwait Times reports.

  • Much of Iran’s navy has been neutralized

    Much of Iran’s navy has been neutralized

    In a devastating blow to Iran’s naval capabilities, United States forces have systematically dismantled key assets of the Islamic Republic’s Navy and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval units during Operation Epic Fury. The multi-pronged offensive has resulted in the confirmed destruction or severe damage of at least 20 Iranian vessels, marking one of the most significant naval engagements in recent history.

    According to confirmed reports from the Pentagon and statements by War Secretary Pete Hegseth, the IRIS Dana, a Moudge-class corvette from Iran’s Southern Fleet, was sunk by a single Mark 48 ADCAP torpedo fired from a US submarine near Sri Lankan waters. The vessel, named after Mount Dena, carried approximately 140 crew members, with casualty numbers remaining uncertain as rescue operations were undertaken by the Sri Lankan navy.

    Simultaneously, satellite imagery and social media footage confirmed the Shahid Soleimani-class corvette Shahid Sayyad Shirazi engulfed in flames near Bandar Abbas port following precision US strikes. The lead ship Shahid Soleimani and its sister vessel Shahid Hassan Bagheri were also confirmed destroyed during the operation.

    The devastation extended across Iran’s naval hierarchy, with the drone carrier Shahid Bagheri severely damaged or sunk within the initial hours of combat. A Jamaran-class corvette was confirmed by US Central Command to be “sinking to the bottom of the Gulf of Oman” at Chahbahar pier on March 1, 2026. The IRINS Makran, a massive converted tanker serving as a mobile forward base, was documented ablaze at its berth in Bandar Abbas through satellite imagery from March 2.

    Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, revealed that hundreds of small craft—the backbone of Iran’s asymmetric naval strategy—were targeted at their moorings in Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, and Assaluyeh. Iran’s submarine fleet suffered equally catastrophic losses, with a Fateh-class coastal submarine rendered inoperable after sustaining direct damage near Bandar Abbas. Multiple Ghadir-class midget submarines were among the 17 vessels confirmed destroyed during the initial 100 hours of operations.

    Heavy strikes involving B-2 stealth bombers and Tomahawk missiles targeted submarine pens at Bandar Abbas, potentially trapping or disabling Iran’s three Russian-built Kilo-class submarines (Taregh, Nooh, and Yunes) through infrastructure destruction despite ongoing damage assessment.

    The scale of destruction recalls historical naval defeats, though Iranian officials have yet to issue a comprehensive statement regarding the losses. Military analysts suggest this operation represents a fundamental reshaping of naval power dynamics in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters.

  • Canada and Australia leaders urge war de-escalation, but agree Iran can’t get nuclear weapons

    Canada and Australia leaders urge war de-escalation, but agree Iran can’t get nuclear weapons

    CANBERRA, Australia – In a significant bilateral meeting held in Australia’s capital, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese presented a unified front on the escalating Iranian conflict, advocating for immediate de-escalation while maintaining an unequivocal stance against Iranian nuclear proliferation.

    The high-level discussions occurred amidst heightened global tensions following recent military developments, including the sinking of an Iranian warship by a U.S. submarine in the Indian Ocean and NATO’s interception of an Iranian ballistic missile near Turkish airspace.

    Prime Minister Carney emphasized the necessity of broadening diplomatic efforts beyond direct combatants. “We seek a comprehensive de-escalation involving a wider coalition of nations,” Carney stated during a joint press conference. “However, this cannot be achieved without permanently eliminating Iran’s capacity to develop nuclear weapons and export terrorism. These outcomes must be fundamental to any resolution.”

    Carney specifically highlighted the potential role of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, praising their “remarkable restraint” amid regional instability and suggesting their inclusion in peace-building initiatives.

    Prime Minister Albanese echoed these sentiments, condemning Iran’s expanding military operations. “The international community demands immediate de-escalation and cessation of Iran’s cross-border attacks,” Albanese asserted. “We’ve witnessed unacceptable aggression toward Gulf states not involved in hostilities, including targeting of civilian and tourist areas. The permanent prevention of Iranian nuclear weapons capability remains paramount.”

    When questioned about potential Canadian military involvement, Carney declined to categorically exclude such possibilities, noting the conflict’s potential for rapid expansion. “This addresses a fundamental hypothetical in a rapidly evolving situation,” he responded. “While we cannot absolutely rule out participation, any engagement would align with our strategic alliances and national interests.”

    The Canberra meeting formed part of Carney’s three-nation trade-focused tour, commencing in India and proceeding to Japan following his address to the Australian Parliament.

  • War with Iran chokes flows of oil and natural gas, highlighting energy security risks for Asia

    War with Iran chokes flows of oil and natural gas, highlighting energy security risks for Asia

    BANGKOK (AP) — Escalating military conflict around the Persian Gulf has triggered severe disruptions to global energy markets, with oil and natural gas shipments through the critical Strait of Hormuz facing unprecedented challenges. The strategic waterway, which facilitates approximately one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade, has become a flashpoint in regional tensions, sending energy prices soaring worldwide.

    Asia emerges as the most vulnerable region due to its heavy dependence on imported energy resources. According to energy consultancy Kpler, approximately 13 million barrels of oil transited through the corridor daily in 2025, representing about one-third of all seaborne crude. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that over 80% of LNG shipments through the strait in 2024 were destined for Asian markets.

    Since hostilities began, Brent crude prices have surged by 15% to approximately $84 per barrel, reaching their highest level since July 2024. U.S. President Donald Trump announced potential naval protection and risk insurance for shippers, but the ripple effects extend far beyond the immediate region. Wealthier nations are outbidding developing economies for scarce energy cargoes, recreating patterns observed during previous energy shocks.

    Zulfikar Yurnaidi of the ASEAN Centre for Energy warned that “the crisis, with the closure of the Hormuz Strait as the latest development, would not only raise oil and gas prices but also grind global economic activity to a halt.”

    China and India face particularly significant challenges as the world’s largest and third-largest crude oil importers, respectively. While China maintains substantial strategic petroleum reserves and alternative supply routes—including discounted Iranian, Russian, and Venezuelan oil through independent refiners—the price volatility remains a concern. India’s situation appears more precarious with less than one month of crude reserves, creating potential for rapid deterioration if conflicts persist.

    East Asian economies demonstrate varying levels of vulnerability. Japan imports approximately 95% of its crude from the Middle East, while South Korea sources around 70% of its crude oil and 20% of its LNG from the region. Taiwan, despite diversification efforts, remains heavily dependent on Qatari LNG. All three economies maintain energy stockpiles but face challenges in energy-intensive industries.

    Southeast Asian nations are implementing emergency measures as developing economies risk being outbid in tightening markets. Singapore has warned of higher energy bills, Manila has restricted non-essential fuel use, and Thailand has suspended petroleum exports while boosting domestic production. The region’s reliance on spot-market LNG creates additional exposure to price volatility and geopolitical instability.

    Energy analysts emphasize that current reserves provide only temporary relief, with many nations regretting insufficient investment in renewable energy diversification that could have served as a natural hedge against such disruptions.

  • Iran says US to pay ‘heavy price’ for killing supreme leader

    Iran says US to pay ‘heavy price’ for killing supreme leader

    Iran has issued a stark warning to the United States, threatening severe consequences for the alleged killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, declared on Wednesday that America would face a “heavy price” for its actions, which he characterized as an escalation of hostilities.

    In a statement published on social media platform X, Larijani accused US President Donald Trump of plunging American citizens into what he described as an “unjust” military confrontation with Iran. The Iranian official posed a provocative question regarding the strategic calculus behind the operation: “Now he must calculate: with over 500 American soldiers killed in just the past few days, does America still come first — or Israel?”

    The incident triggering this escalation occurred on Saturday when joint American-Israeli strikes reportedly resulted in the deaths of Khamenei, several family members, and multiple high-ranking Iranian military commanders. In response to these attacks, Iran launched comprehensive retaliatory measures involving coordinated missile and drone assaults targeting Israeli territory and American military installations throughout the Middle Eastern region.

    This development marks a significant deterioration in Iran-US relations, with potential implications for regional stability and global security frameworks. The exchange of military actions represents one of the most direct confrontations between the two nations in recent history, raising concerns about further escalation and the potential for broader regional conflict.

  • Honduras weighs shift in China-Taiwan ties as Trump pushes for US dominance in Latin America

    Honduras weighs shift in China-Taiwan ties as Trump pushes for US dominance in Latin America

    Three years after Honduras severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan in favor of China, the Central American nation faces severe economic repercussions and potential diplomatic reversal. The shrimp farming industry, once thriving with over $100 million in annual exports to Taiwan, has witnessed catastrophic decline, with sales plummeting to just $16 million in 2025 without promised Chinese market access replacing the loss.

    President Nasry Asfura, who assumed office in January with backing from former U.S. President Donald Trump, has initiated a comprehensive review of Honduras-China agreements. This move signals potential realignment toward Taiwan amid growing U.S. efforts to counter Chinese influence in Latin America. The development occurs as Asfura prepares to attend a regional security summit hosted by Trump near Miami.

    Academic experts indicate Honduras represents the most likely candidate globally to restore diplomatic recognition to Taiwan. Professor Francisco Urdinez of Chile’s Pontifical Catholic University noted that while President Asfura campaigned on this reversal and has Trump’s support, untangling numerous agreements signed with China since 2023 presents significant complications.

    The diplomatic maneuvering reflects broader geopolitical tensions. China maintains that Taiwan constitutes inseparable Chinese territory, while the United States, despite lacking formal ties, remains Taiwan’s strongest international supporter. Currently, only twelve governments recognize Taiwanese statehood, with seven located in Latin America and the Caribbean.

    The human cost of Honduras’s diplomatic shift has been substantial. Industry reports confirm the closure of at least 95 shrimp farms and one processing plant, resulting in over 25,000 job losses and millions in vanished foreign exchange earnings. Javier Amador, Executive Director of Honduras’s National Aquaculture Association, stated plainly: ‘We were deceived,’ referencing unfulfilled promises of Chinese market access.

    With 330 shrimp farming companies still operational but struggling, industry representatives urge diplomatic restoration with Taiwan to revive economic prospects. The situation presents President Asfura with a complex dilemma: fulfilling campaign promises while managing substantial Chinese investments in Honduras and potential repercussions from abandoning Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.

  • Exclusive: Iranian officials say Israel carried out some of the drone strikes on Gulf energy sites

    Exclusive: Iranian officials say Israel carried out some of the drone strikes on Gulf energy sites

    Iranian authorities have formally accused Israel of orchestrating a series of drone strikes targeting energy installations and civilian infrastructure across the Arabian Gulf, characterizing the assaults as a deliberate strategy to provoke regional hostilities and coerce Arab nations into joining the military offensive against Tehran.

    According to an anonymous high-ranking official within Iran’s foreign ministry who spoke with Middle East Eye, Israeli operatives were responsible for multiple attacks on Saudi Arabian territory and at least one incident in Oman. The source stated categorically that Iranian forces were not involved in these specific operations, though they declined to specify which incidents were attributed to Israel.

    The targeted sites include strategically significant locations such as Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base, the critical Ras Tanura oil refinery complex, the US embassy compound in Riyadh, and Oman’s Duqm Port—a facility regularly accessed by the US Navy since 2019. These attacks have substantially impaired regional oil and gas export capabilities and undermined Dubai’s reputation as a secure hub for international expatriates.

    Multiple Iranian intelligence sources indicated that Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence service, executed several drone attacks using pre-established operational networks within Iran. Iranian security forces are reportedly actively working to identify and neutralize Mossad weapons storage facilities and command centers, some of which may be located in neighboring countries.

    This development emerges amid increasing pressure from the United States and United Arab Emirates for Gulf Cooperation Council members to formally enter the conflict against Iran. Tehran maintains that its military responses have been exclusively directed at US and Israeli assets, with any strikes on civilian infrastructure resulting either from Israeli false flag operations or rare technical errors.

    Academic and political figures across the Gulf have expressed skepticism about the origins of the attacks. Seyed Emamian of Tehran Polytechnic University noted that Israel stands to benefit from undermining Iran’s recently improved diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab states. Similarly, Saudi political veteran Abdulaziz Altuwaijri and Qatar’s former Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani have warned against being drawn into direct confrontation with Iran, suggesting external forces seek to exploit regional divisions for strategic gain.

    Analyst Sina Toosi of the National Iranian American Council observed that while Israel seeks to regionalize the conflict by drawing in Gulf states, Iran has compelling reasons to avoid broader confrontation that would jeopardize its diplomatic achievements with neighboring nations.

  • China sets lowest economic growth target since 1991

    China sets lowest economic growth target since 1991

    China has announced its most conservative annual economic growth target in over three decades, setting a range of 4.5% to 5% for the coming year during the ongoing Two Sessions political gathering. This marks the lowest expansion goal since 1991 and represents the first downward adjustment since the “around 5%” target established in 2023.

    The revised growth framework emerges as Beijing confronts multiple economic headwinds, including persistently weak domestic consumption, an unresolved property sector crisis, and escalating trade tensions with Western nations. The announcement coincided with preliminary details of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, which outlines strategic investments in innovation, high-tech industries, and scientific research.

    Premier Li Qiang addressed delegates emphasizing the government’s dual focus: stimulating household consumption while advancing manufacturing sophistication. This approach reflects concerns about over-reliance on export-driven growth despite China recording a record $1.19 trillion trade surplus in the previous year.

    Recent economic data reveals the complexity of China’s situation. While officially meeting the 5% growth target for 2025 overall, expansion slowed to 4.5% in the final quarter, consistent with the new target’s lower bound. This slowdown has prompted more than two-thirds of Chinese provinces to similarly temper their growth expectations.

    Georgetown University researcher Ning Leng notes that China’s export dependency creates vulnerability, particularly as former President Donald Trump’s tariff policies continue to pressure trade relations. In response, China has aggressively pursued trade diversification strategies to maintain manufacturing output and market access.

  • Not all attacks on Gulf states coming from Iran, prominent Saudi Arabian editor suggests

    Not all attacks on Gulf states coming from Iran, prominent Saudi Arabian editor suggests

    In a televised discussion on Tuesday, Adhwan al-Ahmari, a prominent Saudi journalist and political analyst, presented a provocative assessment of the escalating tensions in the Middle East. During his appearance on Riyadh-based Asharq News, Ahmari articulated growing suspicions that the United States and Israel might be orchestrating a strategic trap aimed at drawing Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations into direct military confrontation with Iran.

    The analyst pointed to numerous unverified claims of false-flag attacks in the region, suggesting these incidents may be part of a broader geopolitical maneuver. ‘Some perceive this conflict as an American-Israeli trap designed to implicate Gulf countries and pull them into a confrontation with Iran,’ Ahmari stated, noting that ‘this hypothesis gains credibility daily’ as trust between Washington and its GCC allies continues to deteriorate.

    Ahmari raised alarming questions about American commitment to the region: ‘What if the US announces after a week, ten days, or two weeks that it has achieved all its objectives and declares the war over, subsequently leaving Gulf states in an open-ended confrontation with Iran?’

    The Saudi analyst emphasized that military actions targeting Iranian leadership or nuclear facilities would prove futile without the complete dismantlement of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He described the IRGC as an elite military institution specifically structured to protect Iran’s ruling system, distinct from the nation’s conventional armed forces.

    ‘Eliminating the Iranian supreme leader without neutralizing the IRGC achieves nothing. Dismantling the nuclear program without eradicating the IRGC accomplishes nothing. The IRGC would inevitably return with strengthened capabilities,’ Ahmari warned.

    He called for greater transparency from the Trump administration, demanding clear explanations regarding US motives and anticipated timeline for the conflict. President Trump initially projected a four-to-five-day engagement, which has since expanded to four-to-five weeks, with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recently suggesting an open-ended commitment—a development Ahmari characterized as ‘the strangest military campaign in history.’

    The analyst further described Iran’s attacks on Gulf nations hosting US military facilities as ‘suicidal behavior,’ noting that contemporary Iran appears significantly weaker than a decade ago due to the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests and severe economic crises exacerbated by intensified US sanctions and a US-backed bank collapse.