Iran is responding to the threat of a ground operation by bolstering defences around its largest oil port, while threatening to attack a wider array of targets around the Gulf and launching a mass recruitment drive including children, according to WSJ

Iran's military preparations in response to perceived threats can heighten tensions in the Gulf, potentially disrupting key oil supply routes. The escalation in rhetoric and defense strategies could lead to increased premiums in crude prices, particularly for WTI, as markets assess risks to oil production and shipments in the region.