Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed on Friday that back-channel discussions to halt the U.S.-Israel war with Iran is “a little bit of movement.”

may not succeed. The existence of contingency planning does not necessarily mean confrontation is imminent, but it does indicate that policymakers are preparing for multiple outcomes.

Meanwhile, markets, energy analysts, and military planners are watching closely.

The stakes are enormous.

A disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would affect continue reading …