All articles tagged with #iranwar
Euro zone inflation rose to 2.5% in March, above the ECB's 2% target, driven by a sharp energy-price increase tied to the Iran-Israel/U.S. conflict; energy inflation about 4.9% while services and food rose more modestly. ECB President Lagarde signaled possible rate hikes if needed, and the central bank updated its forecasts to show 0.9% growth in 2026 with inflation averaging about 2.6% that year.
The BBC reports that the Iran-war–driven disruption of the Strait of Hormuz could dwarf the 1970s oil shocks, with about 20% of world oil supply affected and the risk of sharp price spikes and inflation—potentially deepening recession concerns—though many analysts say today’s market is more diversified and buffered, which could limit the hit if the conflict ends quickly.
In hearings, Tulsi Gabbard failed to justify Trump’s Iran war, while Republicans pressed Markwayne Mullin on past conduct during his Homeland Security secretary confirmation, highlighting intraparty tensions.
Markets expect the Fed to hold rates at this week’s meeting, but February’s producer price index jumped 3.4% year over year and oil surged on the Iran conflict, adding hawkish risk to the inflation outlook. Oil traded above $109 a barrel, stocks were modestly lower ahead of the decision, and gas prices rose as energy supply concerns persist. February payrolls fell 92,000 and Q4 GDP growth was revised to 0.7%, underscoring a fragile economy. With Powell’s term ending in May and Trump weighing Warsh as successor, Fed independence remains a political issue; markets price in a near-certain hold, though messaging could tilt hawkish if energy inflation accelerates.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr said broadcasters must serve the public interest or risk losing their licenses, escalating a dispute sparked by Trump’s criticism of Iran coverage. Democrats call the postura unconstitutional, while the FCC argues its authority over broadcast content is limited and licenses are issued to stations (not networks) with a mandate to operate in the public interest.