US aircraft losses in Iran war rise to at least 81, CBO says
A Congressional Budget Office report says at least 81 United States military aircraft have been lost or damaged during Operation Epic Fury, the American campaign against Iran. The estimate covers fighter jets and drones and puts the cost of the losses at between $1.9bn and $3.3bn as of August 1. The figures add a new measure of the material cost of the conflict, which is now in its eighth month.The report, released on Monday, is described as a nonpartisan government assessment of budget-related issues for the legislature. It lists 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, one F-35A Lightning II jet... [Continue Reading]
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Strait of Hormuz shipping slows as tanker bonuses surge amid Iran war
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen to its lowest level since July, according to shipping data cited in the supplied material, even as some tanker captains are being offered unusually large bonuses to take the route. The development points to a widening gap between the strategic importance of the waterway and the willingness of crews to transit it under current conditions. It also suggests that the maritime disruption around the Gulf is now affecting both traffic patterns and labour costs.The supplied material says some captains are earning base salaries of as much as $100,000, plus a $50,000 bonus... [Continue Reading]
Oil and stocks swing on renewed Iran war fears and Middle East supply concerns
Oil prices moved sharply on Wednesday as traders reacted to renewed fears of disruption to Middle East supply routes. Prices rose after reports that Iran appeared to be stepping up attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, then fell later in the session after officials signalled that more reserves could be released if needed. The swings also fed through to US financial markets, where stocks weakened and government bond yields climbed to their highest levels in more than two decades.The immediate trigger was a warning cited in the supplied material that tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz may... [Continue Reading]

