Relentless military engagements threaten to draw other nations into the vortex. Despite mounting pressure from the US to restrain Israeli assaults on nuclear installations and oil fields in Iran, Israel has often hinted at such strikes in a bid to cripple the energy sector.
Speculations are rife that this could prompt Iran to shut the strategic chokepoint of Strait of Hormuz, debilitating oil supplies from the Persian Gulf and proving to be a catalyst for Iranian attacks on neighboring oil facilities. So, oil prices could spike despite the buffer of Saudi spare capacity and Latin American supply channels.
Such acts could also jeopardize Sino-Iranian relations as Beijing continues to navigate alliances with Moscow and Riyadh while seeking modus vivendi with Washington in a complex politico-economic scenario.
Being aware of China's economic slowdown and consistent monthly decline in refinery runs, Iran is scouting for buyers besides Chinese state oil companies and 'teapots' (small independent refiners based mostly around Shandong province).
Having 10 percent of the world's oil reserves and being home to an impressive automotive industry, the Islamic republic is desperate to revive its economy, emulating Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE.
Most of its oil is currently routed to China and paid for in renminbi. While such revenue is partially offset via import of Chinese equipment and technology, the balance constitutes Tehran's external reserves with lesser-known banks in mainland China and Hong Kong, often considered conduits for money laundering and layering.
この記事は The Morning Standard の October 30, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は The Morning Standard の October 30, 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
'Hard Work Came First, Stardom Later'
Actor Adivi Sesh's career in Tollywood has included a variety of roles and genres. From playing Bhadra in Baahubali to Agent Gopi in Goodachari, Sesh has established himself as one of the most versatile performers in the industry, having played complicated characters with profound emotional arcs as well as action-packed thrillers.
Aspirations Unbound
At 69, Anupam Kher is far from done. Whether it is romance or fitness training, he is ready for it all
Recipes of the Heart and Home
After tasting success in London, celebrity chef Rohit Ghai is impressing the Omani palate with the subtlety of spice while he stays a dal-chawal sort of guy
Diving into the Murky World of Scandals
Fraudster Tales: History's Greatest Financial Criminals and Their Catastrophic Crimes By: Vijay Narayan Govind Publisher: Pan Macmillan Price: ₹499 Pages: 290
The Traditional and the Suave
The timeless drape sees a major revival with new-age dhoti enthusiasts reawakening to its allure
The Artificial Way to Work Happiness
Gen Z seems to have got the workplace right, artificially. With 31 per cent of them reporting a healthy relationship with work, it places them ahead of Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials.
Uncomplicated and Compelling
The story preserves not only the characters' voices but also their goals and actions, which are convincing and believable
Inside Mindscapes that Define Us
Three artists engage with Nature and make a statement that explores the geological, cultural, and material facets of our planet
Of an Age Gone by and a Language Lost
Our villages have become ghost villages; will our language take the same road? A googly was flung at me by a student.
Are Adult Friendships Really that Hard; Why Not Make the Effort?
Despite the plethora of digital platforms that promise connection and community, 79 per cent of GenZs and 71 per cent millennials describe themselves as lonely. In the US, 12 per cent of adults say that they have no close friends. While finding avenues for connection have increased exponentially over the years, maintaining friendships, especially adult friendships, have become harder.
