Reuters Opinion: If the US were to launch a ground assault, Iran could cause widespread damage to energy infrastructure in the Gulf region

BlockBeats News, March 30th, Reuters columnist Clyde Russell wrote that a month after the U.S. and Israel launched a strike on Iran, the global crude oil, refined products, and liquefied natural gas supply market has entered the "second-worst scenario."

At the same time, the article predicted the worst-case scenario of this round of conflict:

It would be a situation of a sharp escalation of conflict—Iran causing widespread damage to the energy infrastructure in the Gulf region through missiles and drones, including oil pipelines, refineries, processing facilities, and export terminals. The most likely trigger for such action would be U.S. ground forces attempting to seize and control Iranian-controlled territory, such as the Kharg Island oil terminal and some small islands in the Strait of Hormuz.

The deployment of ground forces is precisely an option that U.S. President Trump is reportedly considering, and U.S. military forces in the region are also continuously gathering. However, even if a military invasion succeeds tactically, it would be meaningless if it triggers massive destruction of the energy infrastructure, as it would escalate the already severe market crisis into an unprecedented global energy disaster.

Looking at Brent crude futures, the market is still largely betting that the situation will cool down and eventually restore normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. In early Asian trading on Monday, Brent futures rose 2.7% to about $115.55 per barrel, higher than the $112.57 per barrel at the close on March 27. Since closing at $72.48 per barrel on February 27 (the day before the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran), Brent prices have risen by 59%.