United States President Donald Trump’s planned naval blockade of Iran would further cripple international shipping, exacerbating the energy crisis roiling the global economy, analysts warn.

Oil prices surged above $100 a barrel on Monday after Trump announced that the US Navy would blockade the Strait of Hormuz and “interdict every vessel in international waters that has paid a toll to Iran”

“Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION,” Trump said on Truth Social.

Central Command, the US military’s command responsible for operations in the Middle East, said in a statement the blockade would affect only ships entering and exiting Iranian ports, an apparent scaling-back of Trump’s threat to fully block the strait.

Trita Parsi, cofounder of the US-based Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said a US blockade would have a cascading impact across the global economy.

“Anything that currently takes more oil off the market will push prices up, which in turn will push gas prices further,” Parsi told Al Jazeera.

Oil could rise above $150 a barrel if the blockade were to trigger retaliation from the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen, who could shut down Bab al-Mandeb, a strait that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, Parsi said.

The strait is an alternative export route for Gulf oil and gas.

A blockade aimed at depriving Iran of revenues would mark a sudden reversal in policy by Washington.

The Trump administration last month announced it would waive some sanctions on Iranian oil exports as a way to help ease the global energy crunch.

Iran has essentially closed the strait since the start of the US-Israeli war on February 28, allowing only a small number of ships to transit after vetting and authorisation.

About 3,200 vessels were stranded west of the strait due to the blockage as of Saturday, according to the maritime intelligence company Windward.

Anas Alhajji, former chief economist at NGP Energy Capital Management, said expected non-Iranian ships would likely keep avoiding the strait despite the US military’s assurances that they will not be impeded because of elevated insurance premiums.

Ships may also fear retaliation from Iran, Alhajji said.

“Therefore, the Trump blockade of the Iranian ports is an actual blockade of the Hormuz Strait,” Alhajji told Al Jazeera.

The resulting rise in oil and gas prices would also cause the cost of chemicals, fertilisers and raw materials used to make plastics to increase, according to analysts.

Cameron Johnson, a senior partner at the Shanghai-based supply chain consultancy Tidalwave Solutions, said he expects prices of many raw materials to rise within several weeks if Trump makes good on his blockade threat.

“The wild card really is the timeframe on this,” Johnson told Al Jazeera.

“If this is a negotiating tactic – remember we still have eight or nine days left of the ceasefire – then it may not really matter. But if this prolongs itself into the end of the month and into the first week of May, you will see prices all over the world spike for raw materials.”

Deborah Elms, head of trade policy at the Hinrich Foundation in Singapore, said the situation for global supply chains could get “much worse” under the blockade.

“Some of the problems are obvious, but many are not. As an example, fabrics will get more expensive,” Elms told Al Jazeera.

“Packaging is already a challenge for firms. Many can’t get blister packs for pills or lids for consumer goods. We can expect consequences for food production later this year and into next year with fertiliser disruptions and lack of supply,” Elms said.

Chad Norville, president of the oil and gas industry news site Rigzone, said Trump’s threat is a further blow to confidence in the situation in the strait ever returning to normal.

The threat alone is likely to drive up insurance premiums for shipping and logistics companies and reduce the volume of trade passing the strait each day, he said.

“Disruptions to shipping and elevated risk in the region were already well established due to the conflict,” Norville told Al Jazeera.

“This threat doesn’t create that baseline. It amplifies it by reinforcing uncertainty around one of the world’s most critical chokepoints.”

[Aljazeera]

Vidarbha’s Praful Hinge,  24, etched his name into the IPL record books on debut, striking three times in his very first over – the only instance of a bowler achieving this in the league’s 18-year history – as Sunrisers Hyderabad [SRH] stunned table-toppers Rajasthan Royals [RR] at home to snap a two-match losing streak.

SRH had piled up 216 on the back of Ishan Kishan’s 91, an effort that would’ve headlined most nights if not for Hinge’s sensational opening over, which included the wicket of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for a golden duck.

But Hinge wasn’t the only one to mark his arrival onto the big stage with a grandstand beginning. Another debutant, Bihar’s Sakib Hussain,  struck at the other end as well, causing RR to crash to 5 for 4, and then 9 for 5. The game was effectively sealed right there. The two debutants finished with combined figures of 8 for 58.

In some ways, it felt destined. Hinge was set to debut in SRH’s previous game, against Punjab Kings, after being named at the toss, only for the team management to have a late change of heart and sub in Jaydev Unadkat instead. A game later, Hinge had a moment he would cherish forever.

Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood weren’t spared, but Hinge didn’t carry any baggage. A hard-length delivery into the pitch had Vaibhav Sooryavanshi top-edge a pull to wicketkeeper Salil Arora for a golden duck. One ball later, Hinge had the in-form Dhruv Jurel chop on, and then capped off the first over by having Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who replaced Shimron Hetmyer, flick one straight to long leg.

At the other end was Sakib, who also celebrated a special moment when he sent Yashasvi Jaiswal back by having him ramp a short ball straight to deep third, leaving the score at an eye-popping 2 for 4. That soon became 9 for 5 when Hinge had Riyan Parag caught at slip after he had been whipped through midwicket for four. Sakib added three more wickets to his kitty, all off slower variations, to finish with 4 for 24. That included strikes off consecutive deliveries to dismiss Jofra Archer and Ravi Bishnoi late in the innings.

Just before Sakib capped off a dream night, RR’s sixth-wicket pair brought up their fifty-run partnership off 35 deliveries, ensuring they didn’t lose any further wickets until the half-way mark. There was a visible shift in their approach from that point on, with the next four overs going for 50 runs. Even so, the ask was a steep one, with RR needing 97 off the last six overs. That pressure finally told, as both Donovan Ferreira and Ravindra Jadeja fell in consecutive overs before SRH sealed victory.

But while he was at the crease, Ferreira gave a good account of himself, particularly in his handling of spinners. Quick to get to the pitch or rock back to pull, he was severe on both Shivang Kumar and Harsh Dubey as he raised a maiden IPL fifty off 31 balls. But his dismissal, followed by Jadeja’s, opened the floodgates for Sakib.

[Cricinfo]

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasooriya in her New Year message requested every Sri Lankan to resolve, with renewed determination to overcome obstacles and build a better and more prosperous nation.

The full text of the PM’s message:

“Marking the auspicious transition of the sun from one planet to another, and the arrival of the spring season following the harvest, the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrated by the people of Sri Lanka since ancient times, has dawned once again.

The New Year is not merely a festive occasion; it symbolizes a renewal of prosperity, unity, coexistence, and the strengthening of mutual relationships embedded within our cultural values.

On this occasion, I extend my wishes for a peaceful and prosperous Sinhala and Tamil New Year to all Sri Lankans who celebrate this occasion with their families and loved ones, observing customs at the auspicious time.

A unique feature of Sinhala and Tamil New Year is the way an entire nation comes together through a shared set of customs. Despite the demands and challenges of daily life, this season offers a valuable opportunity to move forward with renewed hope as families, communities and a nation.

The true blessing of the New Year lies in setting aside differences and grievances, and embracing a fresh beginning in a spirit of solidarity and goodwill. Especially in the face of ongoing global challenges, the courage, compassion and resilience shown by our people in facing various natural and economic hardships in recent times stand as an example to the world. It is our responsibility to carry forward that collective strength.

At this auspicious moment, I extend my greetings to our fellow Sri Lankans working overseas, who dedicate themselves to securing a better future for their families and for the country. In particular, I extend my thoughts for the safety and well-being of those living in the Middle East during these tumultuous times.

Let us resolve, with renewed determination to overcome obstacles and build a better and more prosperous nation. As we undertake in a significant social and political transformations, we remain committed to striving tirelessly towards a better future.

May this Sinhala and Tamil New Year be blessed with happiness and prosperity!”