India, March 2 -- As expected, after the combined US-Israel strikes on Iran, and counter-attacks by the latter, global crude oil prices jumped. They inched upwards of $70, the highest since August 2025, and almost a quarter up from the lowest level in December 2025. Indeed, the recent rise over the past several weeks was prompted by the fears that the US was likely to attack Iran, not if but when. Now that the missiles have hit Iran, its supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, is dead, and Iran has launched attacks on the US bases in the Middle East, and struck high-profile airports, ports, and landmark buildings in the region, the prices are likely to shoot up. A figure of $100, say experts, is a distinct reality. If the war escalates for a few da...