Prolonged Middle East conflict poses major economic risks. The escalating U.S.-Israel-Iran tensions threaten global oil supplies, with Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz, which handles 20% of seaborne crude shipments. Markets already reacting sharply: Japan's Nikkei fell 2.7%, West Texas Intermediate crude surged 13% to over $75 per barrel. Experts warn regime change through airstrikes alone is unlikely, suggesting this conflict could become protracted rather than swift. If Iranian forces target Gulf oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia or the UAE, defending those facilities will prove extremely difficult. South Korea and global economies must prepare for sustained currency volatility and elevated energy prices. The U.S.
