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U.S. President Donald Trump (left) and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth salute during a dignified transfer ceremony for service members killed in the Iran War at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on July 22 (local time). / Photo courtesy of AFP, Yonhap News

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on July 23 (local time) that all preparations have been completed ahead of a decision to launch a large-scale attack against Iran.

As Yemen's Houthi rebels attacked two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea, Brent crude broke through 100 dollars per barrel for the first time in about two months. With the U.S. Congress initiating war authorization procedures, simultaneous disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea have emerged as the next critical variable.

Trump signals "larger attack than before" beyond 12 consecutive days of airstrikes

In an interview with American news outlet Axios on July 23, President Trump stated, "I am considering a massive attack," adding that it would be "bigger than ever before." He noted, "I am close to making a decision, and we are all set for it." U.S. forces have been conducting airstrikes on Iran for 12 consecutive days. Axios reported that President Trump's remarks signify an offensive expanding beyond limited strikes to surpass even Operation Epic Fury.

Israel to join within 2 minutes if asked... Trump claims "Iran hasn't received enough pain"

President Trump remarked, "If I ask them to, Israel would join in two minutes." However, he emphasized, "We don't need anybody." Acknowledging that Israeli involvement would carry "consequences," President Trump also pointed to the possibility of Iranian retaliation. He claimed that while Iran desires negotiations, the U.S. is not prepared to seal a deal, asserting, "They haven't received enough pain yet."

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A woman looks at ships in the Strait of Hormuz near a beach in Bandar Abbas, Iran on May 22 (local time). / Reuters Yonhap News

Houthis attack 2 Saudi oil tankers; Trump warns of retaliation against Iran too

The Houthi rebels announced that they conducted a military operation targeting two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia has been exporting crude oil by moving it to the western Red Sea coast following Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump stated via Truth Social that if the Houthis attack merchant ships again, Iran will also be held accountable. He warned, "Iran will face severe military retaliation, and the Houthis will also be targeted."

Brent crude jumps 6.4% to top 100 dollars; U.S. House passes war authorization resolution

September delivery Brent crude reached 100.05 dollars per barrel at 9:15 a.m. on July 23 (10:15 p.m. KST), up 6.4 percent from the previous session. This marks the first time Brent crude has surpassed 100 dollars since May 26. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 3.8 percent to 90.12 dollars.

Brent crude has surged over 30 percent in three weeks from the 71 dollar range earlier this month. Blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would sever Saudi Arabia's Red Sea bypass route, potentially slashing global crude oil supplies by about 7 percent. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution requiring congressional approval for the war against Iran by a vote of 214 to 208. The Senate is also expected to deliberate on a similar resolution, according to the Associated Press.

                                                                                                               Ha Man-joo