Tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate as US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering asking Arab countries to pay for the cost of a war against Iran.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt hinted that the proposal is indeed on the Trump administration's radar.
Although not yet officially announced, it is seen as an approach to reduce America's financial burden in an increasingly expensive conflict.
The move is reminiscent of the 1990 Gulf War, when regional countries and other allies helped finance US military operations.
However, this time it is different, because action against Iran is seen as more unilateral without broad support from Arab countries.
At the same time, there are proposals that Iran itself be forced to pay for the cost of the war, including through oil.
However, Tehran strongly rejects the idea, even demanding compensation from the US for the damage caused.
On the battlefield, Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks, targeting US interests in the region. Several attacks have also damaged civilian areas and critical infrastructure in the Gulf countries, causing the cost of the war to continue to rise.
In a short period of time, it has reached tens of billions of dollars, and now the US is asking for at least an additional US$200 billion to continue its military operations.
The global impact is also being felt as Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts world oil supplies, causing energy prices to soar.
However, the Trump administration insists that the increase is temporary for the sake of long-term benefits. Iran insists that it was attacked first while negotiations were still ongoing, thus denying that it poses a threat.
