Witkoff and Kushner cancel planned visit to Israel, media reports
Amid escalating conflict in the Middle East between allies, the United States and Israel, the first signs of tension have emerged. American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner unexpectedly canceled their planned visit to Israel, according to The Jerusalem Post.
At the same time, official representatives from the US and Israel did not comment on the reasons for the canceled visit.
According to sources cited by the outlet, the disagreement between the US and Israel arose due to Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities that took place on Saturday, March 7.
American officials emphasized that Washington was surprised by the scale of the strikes carried out by the Israel Defense Forces.
Impact of the war on the global economy
On February 28, the US, together with Israel, launched a military operation against Iran. Its stated goal was to curb Tehran’s nuclear program and destroy the country’s missile capabilities.
As of March 9, ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz had sharply decreased by approximately 90%. This strategic route accounts for approximately a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Nearly half of Asia’s oil imports and about a quarter of global LNG supplies pass through it.
Amid the escalating situation, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva called on governments to prepare for the most difficult scenarios. In her words, world leaders must prepare for the "unthinkable."
Meanwhile, Israel continues to strike Iranian oil infrastructure.
Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, had planned to arrive in Israel on March 10 to discuss Israel’s actions.
At the same time, the new escalation of the conflict has already affected global markets. Oil prices have risen above $100 per barrel — for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
