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Hormuz standoff: Who blinks first?
The Debrief

Hormuz standoff: Who blinks first?

In Iran, a shooting war has given way to a fragile ceasefire and a high-stakes standoff in the Strait of Hormuz, with the global economy hanging in the balance. Iran now holds effective control over a critical oil chokepoint, says Eurasia Group energy analyst Gregory Brew, while the US enforces its own blockade to try to squeeze Iran.

The revenue generated by Russia’s main oil tax in April amid the Iran war, per Reuters calculations. The amount is double last month’s revenue, and up by 10% from this time last year.
Hard Numbers

Hard number: Russia’s oil windfall

The Iran war has pushed Brent crude prices to $100 per barrel, up from around $70 before the conflict began.

Who’s negotiating with Iran to keep trade moving?
Quick Take

Who’s negotiating with Iran to keep trade moving?

In this Quick Take, Ian Bremmer breaks down the high-stakes dynamics around the Strait of Hormuz as Iran tightens control.

China and Pakistan push five-point peace plan for Middle East
ask ian

China and Pakistan push five-point peace plan for Middle East

In this “ask ian,” Ian Bremmer breaks down the latest developments in the Middle East, highlighting a new five-point peace initiative from China and Pakistan.

​U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum look on, on the day he signs an executive order, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 23, 2025.
What We're Watching

Trump says Strait of Hormuz could remain closed, Hegseth’s broker accused of insider trading, Wikipedia bans AI-written articles

The US president has now suggested several times that the Iran war could end without reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump postpones military strikes on Iran's power plants
Quick Take

Trump postpones military strikes on Iran's power plants

In this Quick Take, Ian Bremmer says President Trump’s decision to back away from a 48-hour ultimatum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz signals how risky further escalation with Iran could be.

Rahm Emanuel: Trump doesn’t know “friend from foe” on Russia
GZERO World Clips

Rahm Emanuel: Trump doesn’t know “friend from foe” on Russia

Rahm Emanuel says the arrival of Russian oil tankers in Cuba is a direct test of whether President Trump can distinguish between political theater and a real strategic threat.

Trump asks for $200B to fund Iran war
Quick Take

Trump asks for $200B to fund Iran war

In this Quick Take, Ian Bremmer says the Trump administration’s push for $200 billion in supplemental funding for the war in Iran is a sign that the conflict is getting more expensive, more entrenched, and harder to contain.

QatarEnergy's liquefied natural gas production facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar, on March 2, 2026.
Analysis

Iran conflict brings energy boon for some, doom for others

The US-Israeli war with Iran has badly damaged oil & gas producers in the Gulf and consumers in the Indo-Pacific. But not all countries within those regions will feel the pain equally.