2026-03-20
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This is The World in Brief from The Economist.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's Prime Minister, claimed Iran no longer has the capability to enrich uranium or make ballistic missiles.
He dismissed accusations that Israel had pulled America into the war as fake news
and said Israel would hold off on future attacks on Iranian gas fields at Donald Trump's request.
America's president, meanwhile, insisted he was not putting troops anywhere when asked about deploying forces to the Middle East.
Scott Besant, America's Treasury Secretary, said the Trump administration would consider easing sanctions
on Iranian oil at sea as it tries to quell volatile energy markets.
The comments came as Iran warned it would expand strikes on energy infrastructure across the Gulf.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, jumped above $118 a barrel before falling slightly.
Gas prices also surged.
Meanwhile, America's War Secretary, Pete Hegseth, said the aims of the campaign in Iran were unchanged
and that the operation would end at the president's choosing.
He also confirmed his department would ask for $200 billion in additional funding for the military operation from Congress.
General Dan Cain, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that Iran still has some military capability.
Mr. Trump said Japan was stepping up support in the Iran war,