President Trump is reportedly weighing more strikes in the Strait of Hormuz to prevent Iran from rebuilding its capacity to attack ships. This comes as the United Arab Emirates said that it intercepted an Iranian drone over its waters Monday, after the United States and Iran exchanged fire over the weekend for the first time in a month.

It comes as newly released emails show that U.S. immigration officials worked with Tehran to deport more than 100 Iranians on three flights between September 2025 and January 2026, despite rising tensions between the countries.

Meanwhile, Iranians are facing dire economic conditions with runaway food inflation and a collapsing currency. For example, vegetable oil in Iran last month cost 383% more than a year ago. The price of eggs rose by 294%, chicken by 177% and red meat by 148%. Speaking to The Guardian, a biomedical engineer said, “For part of the population, the issue is no longer buying a house or a car; the issue is cutting out meat, reducing food quality, postponing medical treatment, and scraping by until the end of the month.” This is Ali Ghroubi, a local businessman.

Ali Ghroubi: “I’m a businessman myself. Things are difficult under these circumstances. Business has become harder, and it’ll become even harder if another war breaks out. At the end of the day, it’s a battlefield. Excuse me, it’s not a friendly gathering or a party. Everyone gets caught up in it, including me as a businessman.”