US-Iran Tensions Escalate, Oil Prices Soar

0:00On April 4, tensions between the U.S. and Iran just hit a boiling point as President Trump gave them 48 hours to open the strait of Hormuz, or face total destruction of their key infrastructure. Iran fired back hard, warning the whole region will turn into hell if America escalates. This comes after Trump posted on true social about time running out, echoing his earlier 10-day deadline now down to the wire. The strait, carrying 20 percent of global oil, has been under Iran's selective blockade since the war kicked off February 28th with. U.S. Israeli strikes. They've led friendly ships from China, Russia, India, and others through, and just Friday, a French vessel became the first western one to pass after, signaling non-hostile intent. Trump extended the deadline to April 6th at 8 p.m. Eastern before this latest push. Back home, gas prices are crushing wallets at $4.10 a gallon on average, up 37 percent since the fighting started.

1:00Polls show most Americans, even Republicans, think the war's gone too far, souring on Trump's promises to avoid new Middle East conflicts. Casualties mount with 13 U.S. troops killed, over 300 wounded, and nearly 2,000 dead in Iran from airstrikes. U.S. intelligence contradicts Trump's claims of crippling Iran's missiles. Two-thirds are still intact. Meanwhile, two crew from a downed F-15E jet ejected, one recovered alive, the others still missing amid search efforts. Israel says its prepping hits on Iranian energy sites, waiting on Washington's go-ahead. Lindsey Graham backs the tough talk, but Iran's foreign minister cracked the door for mediated peace talks to Pakistan, though no sign though. Fold. Fix this high in oil flows choked, everyone's watching if diplomacy or bombs drop next.