As fighting in the Middle East entered its third week, focus has shifted to Tehran’s closure of a key maritime passage, and the potentially huge global economic impact.
For our big story this week, Jillian Ambrose explains how the war in Iran has effectively blocked the Gulf states from exporting a fifth of the world’s oil supply through the strait of Hormuz. Peter Beaumont sets out the significance of the route and the possible options to counter the blockade, while Hannah Ellis-Petersen reports on the building anger and resentment in the region over being dragged into a war they did not start and had diplomatically tried to prevent.
Peter also looks at “the escalation trap” that lies ahead for both sides in the conflict, and we have on-the-ground reports from Jason Burke in northern Israel and William Christou in southern Lebanon, as well as a stark account of day-to-day life from inside Tehran.
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Five essential reads in this week’s editionSatellite data suggests targeted attacks on farms by Rapid Support Forces were intended to prevent villages producing food. Composite: Getty/The Guardian
Spotlight | ‘Extraordinary cruelty’
Kaamil Ahmed and Alex Clark examine the evidence that starvation is being used as a weapon of war in Sudan
Technology | Star fruit
As Apple reaches its half-century, Chris Stokel-Walker rounds up its biggest triumphs and flops
Feature | Feminism’s not dead!
In a stirring riposte to all those who have declared the death of the women’s movement, Rebecca Solnit outlines the advances that have been made and argues it’s no time to give up the fight
Opinion | The British right’s Maga obsession
UK conservatives were once hostile to the US, but now are keen to emphasise loyalty to Trump above all else, writes Kojo Koram
Culture | One win after another
After 11 nominations without a single win, film-maker Paul Thomas Anderson deservedly struck gold at the Oscars with One Battle After Another, says Xan Brooks
What else we’ve been readingCooking on Chesil Beach, from the Bibby Boys exhibition at Photofusion in Brixton, London, until 4 April. Photograph: Theo McInnes
The mooring of the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland, England, UK, to provide shelter for vulnerable asylum seekers sparked outrage from both sides of the political spectrum back in 2023. Negative stories dominated the headlines but a new photo exhibition in London – about a group of locals that formed a welcome party – reveals a different, softer side to the story. A perfect antidote to the negative news cycle. Emily Elnusairi, deputy production editor
As someone who avoided tequila for years after too many traumatic encounters with it in shot form on university nights out, it was a pleasure to read about its more civilised comeback. These days I’m very happy to meet it again in a picante. Jade Lovitt, business manager
Other highlights from the Guardian website
Audio | Access denied: why Muslims worldwide are being ‘debanked’ – podcast
Video | Could Trump blow up Nato over Iran war?
Gallery | A total hoot! Beautiful birds
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