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In recent weeks, the United States has succeeded in loosening Iran’s grip over the Strait of Hormuz while virtually shutting down Iran’s own oil exports, accelerating its economic free fall.But the war launched by the U.S. and Israel in February intended to last a few weeks is still far from over, and the stalemate is costly for both sides. An agreement reached in June quickly crumbled, with no sign of diplomatic progress since then. Low-level fighting persists, and the U.S. does not seem to have an exit strategy.The mounting economic pressure on Iran has yet to stoke an uprising, and if its leaders are backed into a corner, they may opt for military escalation rather than capitulation. Their Houthi allies in Yemen have meanwhile stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia, helping to push oil prices back up.The price of a barrel of Brent crude, the international benchmark, surged above $100 this week, and diesel heavily used in transport and farming hit a record, potentially stoking inflation. U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged that gas prices are likely to stay high through the midterm congressional elections.“Unfortunately, the U.S. is not winning in the war with Iran despite its limited success in loosening Iran’s grip over the strait and the devastating impact on Iran’s economy,” said Mona Yacoubian, a Middle East expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.“Iran shows no sign of backing down, and instead has demonstrated a willingness to not only fight back, but escalate wherever it can. The war is likely to be protracted with no clear victor.” Iran loses leverage as oil moves through the Strait of Hormuz Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz through which a fifth of the world’s traded oil and gas transits in peacetime in the opening days of the war, using the worldwide economic shock as leverage. Meanwhile, it continued to export its own oil, mainly to China.But in recent weeks, the balance has reversed. A U.S. blockade has virtually halted Iran’s exports, while the American military has facilitated greater exports by Gulf countries, according to figures compiled by Homayoun Falakshahi, an oil expert at Kpler, a global trade monitor.He found that Iran’s oil exports had dropped from 1.85 million barrels a day last spring to around 255,000 in August. Exports of non-Iranian oil rose from 300,000 barrels a day at the height of the war to 8.4 million in September, and exports through alternative routes took that number to 10.8 million.U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright boasted of similar figures on Sunday, saying “we’re probably two-thirds or more of preconflict flows.” Non-Iranian exports were at around 14 million barrels a day before the war, according to Falakshahi.But the increased flow depends on a major U.S. deployment in the strait that has strained the military’s resources. The unpopular war has already cost U.S. taxpayers more than $37.5 billion and left 18 U.S. service members dead, and is expected to weigh on Republicans in November’s election. Tehran could escalate in other ways The tightened blockade and new U.S. sanctions are already taking a heavy toll on Iran’s economy, driving up prices and causing even longer lines outside gas stations.But so far, it’s shown no sign of pushing the country’s increasingly hard-line leaders to make concessions on the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s disputed nuclear program or its support for armed groups in the region.“Washington’s main problem is that it still lacks a theory of victory: More ships are getting through, and Iran is hurting, yet none of that has produced a political outcome,” said Ali Vaez, an Iran expert at the International Crisis Group think tank.Iran has continued to attack ships in the strait, drawing limited U.S. strikes on its coastal areas and then responding with missile attacks on Arab countries hosting U.S. forces. Trump recently dismissed the conflict as “small potatoes.”But with the U.S. supply of sophisticated interceptors showing strain, Iran could be tempted to escalate its attacks or respond through regional proxies.The Iran-backed Houthis launched a wave of attacks on Saudi oil facilities this week as part of a conflict that goes back more than a decade but has heated up in recent weeks. The Houthis are also attacking Saudi shipping, threatening its oil exports and a crucial trade route through the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint leading to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.The Houthis have damaged Saudi Arabia’s Jizan refinery, a large supplier of diesel and jet fuel to Europe, Falakshahi said. The volume of Saudi oil passing through the Bab el-Mandeb bound for Asia has plunged from around 3.4 million barrels a day in June to just 128,000 in August, according to Kpler’s figures, though it has recovered slightly to some 700,000 barrels per day in September.“Tehran has repeatedly signaled that it will respond to growing U.S. pressure by moving up the escalation ladder, not by backing down,” Danny Citrinowicz, a senior researcher at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies and a former Israeli intelligence officer focused on Iran, wrote on X.“Iran will not simply accept an indefinite maritime blockade, nor will it allow Washington to impose mounting economic costs without imposing costs of its own,” he wrote. Krauss reported from the Middle East for more than 20 years, with postings in Cairo, Jerusalem and Baghdad. Joseph Krauss, Associated Press
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Theres another recall affecting sprouts, but this time its not the alfalfa variety. Instead, this sprout recall is linked to broccoli sprouts that have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. So far, the outbreak linked to the broccoli sprouts has sickened nearly two dozen people in multiple states. Heres what you need to know. Whats happened? This week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced another ongoing investigation linked to sprouts. This investigation involves broccoli sprouts produced by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts LLC of Moyie Springs, Idaho. The sprouts are believed to be the source of a Salmonella outbreak currently causing illness in people across multiple states. On Thursday, the maker of the broccoli sprouts, Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, announced a voluntary recall of 215 cases of the vegetable. The recall and investigation come after an earlier alfalfa sprout recall in August. That recall began over fears that alfalfa sprouts produced by Everything Sprouts of Minneapolis could be contaminated with both Salmonella and E. coli. However, the FDA says it is investigating the new broccoli sprouts Salmonella outbreak independently of the Salmonella and E. coli outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts. Evergreen Fresh Sprouts, LLC broccoli sprouts [Photo: via FDA] What products are being recalled? According to the recall notice posted by the FDA, the recall involves 215 cases, comprised of 6/4oz bags per case, of broccoli sprouts produced by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts. The recalled broccoli sprouts: Were packaged in clear plastic 4oz. Zip-lock bags Have the UPC code 8 38796 00105 1 Have Use By dates of 9/07/26, 9/09/26, 9/11/26, 9/14/26, and 9/16/26 Images of the recalled broccoli sprouts packaging are available here. Where were the recalled products sold? The recall notice says that the broccoli sprouts were delivered to three distributors in Washington. From there, the distributors may have delivered the sprouts to retail stores in three states: Idaho Montana Washington The recall notice does not name the retailers who may have sold the sprouts. The FDA warns that the sprouts could have reached other states for sale. How many people have been infected? According to the FDA, the broccoli sprout-linked Salmonella outbreak has sickened 22 individuals in four states: Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Washington. Of those, two individuals have required hospitalization. No deaths have been reported. What are the symptoms of Salmonella? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says Salmonella infection symptoms can include the following: Watery diarrhea that might have blood or mucus Stomach cramps that can be severe Headache Nausea Vomiting Loss of appetite The agency says the symptoms usually start six hours to six days after infection. Symptoms can last up to seven days. What can I do to stay safe? According to the recall notice, Evergreen Fresh Sprouts says anyone who purchased the affected broccoli sprouts should dispose of the product immediately. The FDA advises retailers and restaurants not to sell or serve the recalled sprouts, and consumers not to eat them. The agency also says those who have the recalled sprouts should carefully clean and sanitize any surfaces or containers that they touched. Evergreen Fresh Sprouts says consumers with questions can call the company at 1-208-267-4258.
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Vic Mensa, the mind behind the viral orange tree videos and The Vic Mensa Show, breaks down his creative process, diving into everything from cinematography to typeface design.
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Diesel prices in the U.S. hit yet another record on Friday, soaring past $6 a gallon on average as Washington’s war with Iran disrupts the world’s flow of fuel.The national average of $6.05 is up from $5.85 last week and $3.70 this time last year, according to motor club AAA.Higher diesel prices mean more expensive transportation for a long list of everyday goods. That’s because diesel is used for many freight and delivery networks. And some businesses have already passed along steeper costs to consumers in the form of added fees on online orders and packages in the mail.Shoppers may feel more and more sticker shock, particularly in the grocery aisle. Perishable foods, like meat and produce, face one of the most immediate strains of expensive diesel because they need to be hauled in and restocked frequently or may be harvested using farm equipment powered by the fuel.It can take time for those costs to trickle down. But the surge in diesel prices doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon.Prices at the pump for diesel and regular gasoline which hit $4.29 on average in the U.S. Friday closely follow that of crude oil. And oil has renewed its rise recently. This week, both Brent, the international standard, and U.S. crude surpassed $100 a barrel for the first time in months as fighting between the U.S. and Iran escalated again.Political ramifications may pile up in the meantime. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly tried to downplay the effects of the war he co-launched, said that oil prices likely won’t come down until after November’s midterm elections. What’s driving the latest jump for diesel American diesel prices are now over 60% higher than they were before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February, when the national average sat at about $3.76 per gallon per AAA. Prices quickly climbed as the cost of crude oil the main ingredient in refined fuel like diesel, as well as gasoline soared amid supply chain disruptions across the Middle East, notably with most tanker traffic bottlenecked in the key Strait of Hormuz.Despite some during hopes for peace earlier in the summer, oil has now renewed its climb as fighting once more escalates. And more supply disruptions are piling up. The International Energy Agency reported Friday that Saudi oil production fell to a three-decade low last month due to Houthi attacks on its energy facilities.And elsewhere, losses in the Middle East have been amplified by the war in Ukraine, as the IEA also noted Friday. Disruptions in Russia’s refining system stemming from intense Ukranian attacks have nearly halted product exports.When adjusted for inflation, fuel prices have been higher in the past. Ahead of the 2008 financial crisis, for example, diesel hit about $4.74 a gallon, equivalent to $7.20 in 2026, according to the government’s latest data. And 2022’s then-record of nearly $5.82 reached just months after Russia invaded Ukraine would be about $6.56 this year when accounting for inflation.That doesn’t take the pain away from today’s steep prices, which are already bringing ripple effects for the economy and wider costs of living. Drivers are feeling the pain with gasoline, too.Friday’s average $4.29 for a gallon of regular unleaded is up from $2.98 before the Iran war, although still below the 2022 peak of nearly $5.02 a gallon nationwide.Diesel has been more expensive than gasoline in the U.S. for decades, and its price has risen at a faster pace before. Some reasons include less flexibility in demand and diesel’s position in global commerce overall. Individual households may find ways to drive less when gas prices are high, for example, but there’s fewer immediate substitutes for networks that rely on diesel to haul goods worldwide. All eyes on food Diesel is integral to every part of the food supply chain. It powers farm equipment and fishing boats, as well as the trains and trucks headed to grocery stores.Fuel accounts for roughly 15% to 30% of the total cost of food, according to the Independent Grocers Alliance, a grouping of 7,500 global supermarkets. So higher diesel costs often result in more expensive groceries, although it can take a while for energy shocks to wind their way through the supply chain.Items that need to stay refrigerated while they’re transported are often the first to see prices rise, according to David Ortega, a professor of food economics and policy at Michigan State University. In July, for example, overall U.S. grocery prices were up 2.7% compared to a year prior, but seafood prices were up 7% and fresh fruit prices were up 4.9%.Ortega cautioned other factors can be at play, too. Lettuce also faced higher transportation costs in July, but a drop in demand due to the cyclospora outbreak caused prices to fall.Still, consumers could feel more of a squeeze the longer diesel prices remain high.“Early on, much of the cost increase gets absorbed along the supply chain through existing freight contracts and retailer margins,” Ortega explained last week. “But as contracts reprice and fuel surcharges take hold, more of that cost makes its way to the grocery store.” Fuel shocks range far and wide Back in April, e-commerce giant Amazon rolled out a temporary 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge on some third-party sellers. United Parcel Service, FedEx and the United States Postal Service also moved to add fees on some of the packages they ship earlier in the war, citing rising costs for fuel overall.Experts warn that price hikes could mount the longer diesel remains expensive. A range of other products are also transported by diesel-powered networks, including clothing, cosmetics and furniture.The ramifications extend beyond consumer goods. Some public transt buses and trains also run on diesel. And diesel generators are often used for backup or emergency power, if not central electricity sources in some remote parts of the world.Experts warn the consequences could continue to deepen, particularly in African and Asian countries, which rely more on Middle East imports and have already been hit the hardest by energy shocks.According to the latest data from Global Petrol Prices, diesel prices in Nigeria have surged over 90% since late February followed by nearly 87% in Indonesia and 80% in Lebanon.Price tags vary widely between countries, due to factors ranging from fuel taxes to local economic conditions. As of Monday, diesel prices in Nigeria were about $4.95 per gallon (1,730 naira per liter) on average. Meanwhile, the highest sticker price reported by Global Petrol Prices was in Hong Kong, where diesel costs have jumped almost 26% during the war and averaged at $17.78 a gallon (nearly 37 Hong Kong dollars per liter) Monday.A long road of constrained supply and perhaps higher and higher prices could be ahead.S&P Global Energy said Thursday it now doesn’t project crude oil production in the Middle East to return to prewar levels by the end of 2027.“The market is not returning to calm, it is adjusting to the new normal,” said Jim Burkhard, VP and global head of crude oil research at S&P Global Energy, noting security and logistical challenges continue to limit oil flows. Associated Press writers Dee-Ann Durbin and Mae Anderson contributed. Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Associated Press
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On a cargo ship packed with 8,700 shipping containers, there isnt much room for anything else. But in a new test aboard one of its vessels, Maersk is making an exception for a giant rotor saila spinning cylinder 10 to 12 stories tall that harnesses wind to help reduce fuel use. The test comes as shipping fuel costs continue to soar. In some areas, the price has risen as much as 76% since the Iran war started. The tech, made by a U.K.-based company called Anemoi, is one way to help blunt future price spikes while also cutting carbon emissions for one of the worlds most polluting industries. It’s also an example of how the industry is increasingly making use of wind power. [Photo: Anemoi/Maersk] The 115-foot-tall rotor sail works much like an aircraft wing, which generates lift as air moves faster over the top of a wing than underneath. Our rotor sails work on the same basic principle of creating a pressure difference, but instead of a wing, we use a tall spinning cylinder, says Anemoi CEO Clare Urmston. As the cylinder spins, it speeds the airflow on one side and slows it down on the other. This creates low pressure on one side and high pressure on the other, producing the force that pushes the ship forward. In some cases, each sail can reduce around 1 ton of fuel use per day, but depending on wind conditions, that can jump to as much as a 20-ton reduction. Each ton of fuel saved also saves the equivalent of 3 tons of CO2 emissions. Its not turning a cargo ship into a sailing vessela ship like Maersks can use 100 tons of fuel in a day. (Some other companies, like Vela, are building cargo ships that do run entirely or almost entirely on wind.) [Rendering: Anemoi/Maersk] But the fuel savings are significant, and could translate into saving hundreds of thousands of dollars for a vessel in a year. The payback period for one of the devices is typically five years, but it can be faster for ships operating in Europe under stricter regulations for shipping emissions. In the past, Anemoi has worked with other types of vessels, like bulk carriers transporting raw materials. But the new installation with Maersk is its first on a container ship. In theory, the wind flow around the shipping containers may actually help the sail perform better. It’s the first of its type, Urmston says. So we’re really excited to be part of this pioneering study and see how that works. It could be a big change for the container ship market going forward if successful. The rotor sail will be installed on the Maersk ship in mid-2027; the company will then track performance as the ship goes on a regular route across the Atlantic. Though the vessel uses standard shipping fuel now, the technology could also help as ships transition to lower-carbon fuels in the future. Wind is really attractive because it doesn’t require predicting which fuel will be burnt in the future, so it’s complementary to all alternative fuels, Urmston says. Because alternative fuels are more expensive right now, she adds, theres even more of a case for adding wind to help.
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