With the U.S. increasing its military forces in the Persian Gulf and Iran's foreign minister openly warning that if sanctions are fully enforced, his nation will close the Strait of Hormuz and choke one-fifth of the world's oil supply, many are asking: Is a war with Iran imminent?
On Tuesday, July 17, Newsmax's new global intelligence and forecasting online service, LIGNET, will broadcast a special video briefing from top intelligence experts, including former CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden.
Some experts believe the Israeli military may strike Iran soon and that the "window" is closing for Israel to stop Iran's nuclear program.
The threat of an escalation is real. And if Iran is struck, what would this do to the price of oil, the world economy and the stock market?
And would Iran retaliate against Israel and the U.S.?
In the past few days, the New York Times reported: "The United States has quietly moved significant military reinforcements into the Persian Gulf to deter the Iranian military from any possible attempt to shut the Strait of Hormuz and to increase the number of fighter jets capable of striking deep into Iran if the standoff over its nuclear program escalates."
Iran continues to secretly enrich uranium amid reports that it is pushing forward with its nuclear weapons program, while diplomatic talks to thwart Iran's program and stop pre-emptive Israeli airstrikes have so far failed.