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The United States is reportedly contemplating a daring military operation to confiscate Iran's reserves of highly enriched uranium, a move that experts warn would be fraught with significant challenges and risks.Ensuring Iran does not possess nuclear weapons or the capability to produce them using enriched uranium has been a primary objective for the US during negotiations with Iranian officials over the past year. This goal was also cited as a justification for the US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities during last year's 12-day war with Israel and for initiating the ongoing conflict in February, despite ongoing talks with Iran at the time.Iran possesses approximately 440 kilograms (970 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60 percent, a level at which it becomes considerably easier to reach the 90 percent threshold required to produce a nuclear weapon. This amount theoretically could be used to produce more than 10 nuclear warheads, according to International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi.Iran asserts that its nuclear program is exclusively for civilian energy purposes, despite enriching uranium far beyond the required threshold. Iranian officials have expressed openness to discussing a reduction in the level of enrichment during past negotiations but have refused to dismantle the country's nuclear program entirely, citing national sovereignty concerns.In 2015, the former Obama administration negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran and other nations, under which Iran agreed not to enrich uranium to high levels and to undergo frequent inspections. However, Trump withdrew the US from this agreement during his first term as president.Challenges in Accessing and Transporting the UraniumAny military ground operation to extract the uranium would face substantial chemical, logistical, and tactical hurdles. Isfahan, where about half of the enriched uranium is believed to be stored, is over 480 kilometers (about 300 miles) inland, far from the nearest US naval ships. This would necessitate transporting US forces, possibly alongside Israeli troops, over a long distance through an active warzone, accompanied by heavy equipment.Securing a substantial perimeter around the site and holding that territory for the duration of the operation would be required, all while mitigating the risk of constant fire from Iran. Experts describe this as a risky and infeasible operation.Storing and Handling the UraniumIf the US were to successfully extract the uranium, it would likely be stored in the form of hexafluoride gas, which is difficult to handle and reacts with water to produce extremely toxic chemicals. The uranium hexafluoride must be stored in small, separated canisters to prevent neutrons from multiplying out of control.Any damage to these canisters could trigger the release of toxic chemicals, posing a radiological hazard. An alternative would be to destroy the cylinders on the spot using Army Nuclear Disablement Teams, but this would result in chemical contamination and environmental hazards.Previous Operations and Potential AlternativesIn 1994, US forces undertook a secret operation dubbed Project Sapphire to remove weapons-grade uranium from Kazakhstan. A similar operation for Iran is being considered, but it would require coordination with Iranian authorities and the IAEA, and a cessation of hostilities.A less risky approach would be for the US to negotiate a deal with Iran, resulting in the stockpile being left in place but under international oversight, being downblended, or being removed with Iranian agreement.

The Adelaide 36ers have taken a significant step by filing a formal complaint with the National Basketball League (NBL) against Andrew Bogut, co-owner and assistant coach of the Sydney Kings. The complaint alleges that Bogut made persistent and repeated personal attacks on 36ers owner Grant Kelley, specifically targeting his weight.According to reports, the tension between Bogut and Kelley escalated after Adelaide’s victory in game two of the championship series. Kelley claimed that Bogut made comments about his weight in the tunnel, which Bogut has since disputed. In response, Kelley addressed the issue publicly, stating, “Let’s just say I’m the size of Akebono the sumo wrestler, that’s my journey, that’s my issue.”Kelley also suggested that Bogut’s behavior could be attributed to a power trip, given his stature as a three-time Olympian and former NBA player. The 36ers organization took these allegations seriously, emphasizing that body shaming is not a joke but a real source of anxiety and emotional distress.The Sydney Kings did not directly address the allegations but released a statement through their chief executive, Mark Thompson, emphasizing that the club does not support commentary that goes beyond the court. The NBL championship series has been highly competitive, with the 36ers needing a win in game four to keep their hopes of a first title since 2002 alive.

Japan has initiated the release of oil from its emergency reserves in response to the escalating global energy crisis triggered by the Iran-Israel conflict. The crisis has led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supplies.The decision to release oil reserves was announced on Monday through a notice published in the Japanese government's official gazette. This move follows Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's announcement last week to unilaterally release 80 million barrels of oil from stockpiles due to supply concerns arising from Iran's threats against shipping in the strait.The International Energy Agency (IEA) has also pledged to coordinate the release of a record 400 million barrels to mitigate the market impact of the conflict. Despite these efforts, oil prices have surged, with Brent crude rising as much as 3% on Sunday before easing slightly on Monday. As of 05:45 GMT, Brent stood at $104.85 a barrel, marking a more than 40% increase since the start of the war on February 28.Japan, being one of the world's largest oil importers, relies on overseas fossil fuels for about 80% of its energy needs. The country also holds one of the world's largest oil reserves, sufficient to meet 254 days of domestic consumption. Tokyo has stated it has no plans to deploy its navy to the strait following a call from US President Donald Trump for other countries to help unblock the waterway.

US President Donald Trump has requested a delay in his highly anticipated trip to China, initially scheduled for March 31-April 2, by about a month. The decision comes amid the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, which has resulted in significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East. “We've requested that we delay it a month or so,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday. “There's no tricks to it either. It's very simple. We've got a war going on. I think it's important that I be here.” The delay underscores how the Iran war has upended Trump's foreign policy agenda and risks magnifying tensions between Washington and Beijing. The war has joined trade and Taiwan as among the spectrum of issues separating the world's two biggest economies. Trump's request has been largely rebuffed so far, with China not directly responding to his request to help unblock the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran says is closed to US and Israeli-linked vessels. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway through which one-fifth of the world's oil usually transits. US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said earlier on Monday that Trump may need to delay the trip due to coordinating the war effort, not because of China's unresponsiveness to Trump's request or because of any trade disagreements. “The president wants to remain in DC to coordinate the war effort. Traveling abroad at a time like this may not be optimal,” Bessent said. In related trade negotiations, the Chinese showed openness to potential additional purchases of US agricultural goods, including poultry, beef, and non-soya bean row crops, during talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Paris.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United States and Israel of causing disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which one-fifth of the world's oil shipments pass.In a phone conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Araghchi called for an end to what he described as military aggression against Iran by the US and Israel. He emphasized that every country and international institution concerned with peace and security must condemn these actions.The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has led to significant increases in oil prices, with Brent crude up 2.5% to $105.70 on Monday, more than 40% higher than before the conflict began on February 28.Several countries are reportedly in talks with Iran to secure safe passage for their ships. A senior adviser to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had announced on March 2 that the strait was effectively 'closed' and threatened to set transiting ships 'ablaze'.US President Donald Trump has proposed a naval coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz, but so far, no countries have pledged to join. French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that France will not participate in operations to unblock the strait, but may consider joining an escort system once fighting ends.The European Union is seeking diplomatic solutions to guarantee safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz and mitigate the impact of soaring energy prices on global markets.

The world is currently experiencing a severe energy crisis, surpassing the combined impact of the 1970s oil shocks and the Ukraine war, according to Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Speaking at a media event in Australia, Birol warned that the energy crunch prompted by the US-Israel war on Iran has exceeded the 1973 and 1979 oil shocks and gas shortages stemming from Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.Birol stated that the crisis is equivalent to two oil crises and one gas crash combined. He noted that the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on energy facilities have reduced global oil supplies by about 11 million barrels per day (bpd), more than double the combined shortfalls of the 1970s crises. Additionally, liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies have been reduced by about 140 billion cubic meters, compared to a shortfall of 75bcm in the aftermath of Ukraine's invasion by Russia.At least 40 energy facilities across nine countries have been severely damaged in the conflict, according to the IEA chief. Birol emphasized that the global economy is facing a major threat and expressed hope that the issue will be resolved soon.Birol also expressed concern that the scale of the crisis had not been fully understood, which prompted him to speak publicly about the situation. The IEA has proposed measures to reduce energy consumption, including facilitating remote working and carpooling, and lowering speed limits on motorways.The IEA chief is in consultation with different countries about releasing more strategic oil reserves if needed. However, he emphasized that the single most important solution to the crisis is to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, which usually carries about one-fifth of global oil and LNG supplies.