Asia has most to lose if Middle East turmoil hits oil supplies

As US-Iran tensions, can crude importers defend their interests?

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20190621 tanker fire Oman.jpg

An oil tanker is on fire in the sea of Oman on June 13: Asian governments must quickly assess the threat and respond. © AP

U.S. President Donald Trump says he might take military action against Iran to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon. But he has indicated he won't necessarily jump in to protect international oil supplies from the Middle East if they are under threat from the Islamic Republic.

The position, articulated by Trump in an interview with Time magazine on June 17, should not come as a surprise, even if it appears to be at odds with the Pentagon beefing up aircraft carriers and troops in the Middle East in recent weeks, citing a threat from Iran.

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