Bhubaneswar, March 14 -- The conflict in West Asia has reached a critical flashpoint following a series of massive aerial bombardments. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. forces "totally obliterated" military targets on Iran's Kharg Island in one of the most significant raids in regional history.

While the U.S. intentionally spared oil infrastructure for now, the President warned that this restraint is conditional on the "free and safe passage" of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Conversely, Iranian state media reported that despite visible damage, their forces remain operational on the island.

As maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz-a transit point for 20% of global oil-comes to a near standstill, the U.S. Navy is prep...