By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran entered its 30th day with a significant expansion of the geographic scope of operations. A U.S. Navy vessel carrying 3,500 sailors and Marines arrived in the Middle East as the Pentagon evaluates further military options. This deployment coincides with the Houthi rebels in Yemen officially entering the war by launching missile strikes against Israel. The involvement of the Iran-backed militia introduces a second maritime chokepoint into the conflict, threatening global energy stability.
U.S. Naval Strength Bolstered in Strategic Waters
The USS Tripoli has reached the region to reinforce the existing American military presence. According to U.S. Central Command, the ship carries a Marine Expeditionary Unit. These units are specialized for versatile operations. “Such units have traditionally been used for missions like large-scale evacuations and amphibious operations that require ship-to-shore movements, including raids and assaults.” The Tripoli is the most advanced of its class, equipped with F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets and Ospreys to provide maximum air-to-ground optionality. The arrival follows earlier reports that the Pentagon was weighing its next steps in the month-long engagement.
Iran ‘Waiting’ for Reported U.S. Ground Invasion
Tensions reached a new peak following a Washington Post report that the Pentagon is “preparing for weeks of ground operations” in Iran, potentially including raids on Kharg Island. While President Trump has not yet approved a deployment, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued a defiant response. “Our men are waiting for the arrival of the American soldiers on the ground to set them on fire,” Ghalibaf stated via state media. He accused Washington of “secretly planning an attack” while publicly pursuing diplomacy.
Houthis Open Southern Front Against Israel
The Houthi movement, a Yemen-based and Iran-backed militia, has waded into the expanding Middle East conflict. The group confirmed it fired a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting what it described as sensitive Israeli military sites. “The Yemeni Armed Forces … have carried out the first military operation using a barrage of ballistic missiles targeting sensitive Israeli military sites,” Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed they intercepted a missile launched from Yemen over the Negev desert, near the city of Beersheba. This marks the first time the group has directly intervened since the war began with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iranian targets on February 28.
Escalation Across Iraq and Israel
The war intensified on other fronts as explosions rocked Erbil, Iraq. Attacks targeted the U.S. consulate and nearby bases with drones and missiles. In Israel, hundreds gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest the ongoing war, leading to clashes with police as security forces sought to disperse unauthorized demonstrations.
Maritime Chokepoints and Global Economic Threats
The entry of the Houthis raises the specter of further disruption for a global shipping industry already buffeted by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces have already effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, through which about 20% of the world’s oil supplies moved before the war. Analysts warn that the Houthis could now choke off traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, known as the “Gate of Tears.” This waterway was estimated to account for 12% of seaborne oil trade and 8% of liquefied natural gas trade in the first half of 2023.
While Saudi Arabia has attempted to bypass Hormuz by re-routing oil to its Red Sea port of Yanbu, a closure of the Bab al-Mandab would force tankers into a 50-day journey to China—more than double the standard time. “For instance, a voyage from Rotterdam to Singapore via the Suez Canal and Bab al-Mandab takes roughly 27 days, whereas rerouting around the Cape of Good Hope extends the journey to about 40 days,” Muyu Xu, senior crude oil analyst at Kpler told reporters.
Tehran Demands Sovereignty and Tolls for Hormuz Passage
Tehran has introduced a new condition for ending the conflict: formal recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian lawmakers are considering legislation to charge tolls for vessels transporting goods and fuel through the waterway. Experts estimate such fees could generate $800 million (approx. GH¢ 8.7 billion) monthly, rivaling Suez Canal revenues. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the proposal “illegal and dangerous,” asserting the necessity of toll-free navigation. While international law generally prohibits transit fees in such straits, reports suggest over 20 vessels have already used a new Iranian-controlled corridor, with some reportedly paying $2 million (GH¢ 21.8 million) for safe passage.
Gulf Industrial Infrastructure Targeted
Tensions in the Gulf escalated further as the IRGC claimed strikes on industrial facilities in the UAE and Bahrain. Missile and drone attacks targeted aluminum plants in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain’s main processing facility. Iranian officials described these sites as linked to Western aerospace and military interests. Authorities in the UAE confirmed air defense systems intercepted multiple threats, while Bahrain reported two workers were injured during a strike on its industrial zone.
Private Sector Response and Energy Volatility
The volatility has already forced industry giants to pivot. Danish shipping leader Maersk confirmed its crew were safe following explosions at the Port of Salalah but has paused trans-Suez sailings through the Bab al-Mandab until further notice. “We are pleased to confirm that all Maersk crew are safe and accounted for and no Maersk vessels or cargo have been affected,” the company said. Maersk officials added that the Port of Salalah remains in full cooperation with authorities, with operations estimated to be on hold for approximately 48 hours. This maritime instability contributed to oil prices closing Friday at their highest level in more than three years, as market fears regarding supply disruptions outweighed diplomatic overtures from Washington.
Heavy Bombardment Reported in Iranian Capital
Iranian state-affiliated media reported heavy bombardment across Tehran on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Explosions hit multiple parts of the capital, including civilian areas and the Parchin military-linked site. The Israeli military stated it targeted temporary command centers and weapons production sites in “the heart of Tehran.” Video footage from the Fars news agency showed the aftermath of a strike on a residential neighborhood where nine people were reportedly injured.
Retaliation Threats Against Educational Institutions
In response to strikes on Iranian higher-education centers, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a direct threat against academic targets. The IRGC stated it will target American- and Israeli-affiliated universities in the region. The group declared these institutions are now considered “legitimate targets until two universities are struck.” This escalation adds a new layer of risk to non-military infrastructure throughout the Middle East.
Fatal Strikes on Journalists and Humanitarian Crisis in Lebanon
Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed three journalists on Saturday at approximately 12:00 PM local time (10:00 GMT). Ali Shoeib of Al Manar TV was killed in Jezzine along with Al Mayadeen reporters Fatima Ftouni and Mohamed Ftouni. The IDF claimed Shoeib was a “terrorist” from Hezbollah’s Radwan Force operating “under the guise of a journalist,” though it provided no evidence for this claim. Hezbollah denounced the act as the “deliberate criminal targeting of journalists.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the strike a “brazen crime” against civilians. This marks the second such accusation after Al Manar presenter Mohammad Sherri was killed in Beirut on March 18. The Committee to Protect Journalists warned that Lebanon is now an “increasingly deadly zone for journalists.” Beyond the press, the Lebanese Ministry of Health reports more than 1,100 civilians have been killed, including 120 children and 42 paramedics. Over one million people are now displaced as the humanitarian crisis worsens.
Civilian and Medical Toll Mounts in Lebanon and Israel
The human cost of the conflict continues to rise across multiple borders. The World Health Organization reported that nine paramedics were killed and seven wounded in five separate attacks in southern Lebanon on Saturday. In Israel, falling debris from a missile interception injured 11 people and damaged buildings in Eshtaol. Air-raid sirens also sounded in Bahrain and Kuwait. The Kuwaiti army reported battling a massive blaze at Kuwait International Airport after a drone attack struck fuel tanks.
Diplomatic Mediation Efforts in Pakistan
Pakistan has emerged as a central hub for de-escalation efforts. The foreign ministers of Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia are meeting in Islamabad to discuss a 15-point peace plan proposed by Washington. Pakistan maintains cordial ties with both the United States and Iran. However, Lieutenant General (Retired) Muhammad Saeed cautioned against expecting a “quick breakthrough.” He noted discussions might convey conditions to the Iranians on behalf of Gulf leadership to encourage proactive mediation.
Limited Passage Granted in the Strait of Hormuz
Despite the ongoing hostilities, a minor diplomatic opening occurred regarding maritime transit. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that Iran has agreed to allow 20 ships under Pakistani flags to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Under this agreement, two ships will be permitted to cross the strait daily. This remains a small exception to the general closure of the waterway.
Economic Shocks Hit Ghana and African Markets
The widening conflict is dealing a severe blow to African economies. In Ghana, the Bank of Ghana warned that rising oil prices—now exceeding $100 per barrel (approx. GH¢ 1,092)—threaten to derail the country’s disinflation streak. While Ghana’s gold exports brought in nearly $20 billion (GH¢ 218.4 billion) last year, the cost of refined fuel at the pumps is rising. In Nigeria, petrol prices have skyrocketed to between 1,300 and 1,500 naira per liter, a nearly 50% increase since the war began on February 28. Furthermore, the rerouting of ships around the Cape of Good Hope has increased the cost of imported consumer goods by up to 20%.
Global powers and regional stakeholders now watch the four-way talks in Islamabad, scheduled to begin on Sunday, March 29 at 5:00 PM local time (12:00 PM GMT), as the primary alternative to continued military escalation. While the deployment of the USS Tripoli signals a readiness for further engagement, the agreement over Pakistani-flagged vessels suggests that back-channel diplomacy remains active. The coming days will determine if these mediation efforts can stabilize the world’s most critical energy corridors.
