President Donald Trump is weighing a critical decision that could shift the trajectory of the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.

According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trump will make a final call “within the next two weeks” on whether the United States will militarily support Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

The president’s decision comes amid mounting fears of a broader regional war and growing global concern over energy security. Trump, known for his “peace through strength” philosophy, has publicly signaled a preference for diplomacy, but his administration has also hinted at readiness to act militarily if necessary.

“Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,” Leavitt quoted Trump as saying.

However, even as Washington signals openness to diplomacy, its support for Israel’s unilateral attacks, including the June 13 strike on Iran, has sparked speculation that U.S. involvement may be a matter of timing rather than debate. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has reportedly held several phone conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi since the bombardment began. The EU has also stepped in, convening talks in Geneva with the foreign ministers of Britain, France, and Germany, in an attempt to cool tensions.

Iran Warns of Retaliation: Strait of Hormuz in the Crosshairs

As U.S. deliberations drag on, Iran is making it clear that American intervention will not go unanswered. A senior member of Iran’s parliament, Behnam Saeedi, said on Thursday that closing the Strait of Hormuz—the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoint—is among the options Tehran is considering in response to its enemies.

“Iran has numerous options to respond to its enemies… Closing the Strait of Hormuz is one of them,” Saeedi told the semi-official Mehr news agency.

While another lawmaker, Ali Yazdikhah, noted that Iran would allow continued shipping in the strait “so long as its vital national interests were not at risk,” he emphasized that U.S. military engagement would cross that line.

“If the United States officially and operationally enters the war… it is the legitimate right of Iran to disrupt the ease of oil transit,” Yazdikhah said.

Iran has issued similar threats in the past, but the current situation marks the first time in years that the strategic passage could realistically be jeopardized. About 20% of global oil consumption—around 18 million barrels per day—passes through the Strait, which is only 33 km wide at its narrowest point. It serves as the primary conduit for crude oil exports from Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, and the UAE.

Commercial ships have already begun avoiding Iranian waters near the strait, according to shipping trackers and maritime analysts, underlining that the threat is being taken seriously.

Oil Prices React Sharply, Markets Brace for Impact

Energy markets are already jittery. Brent crude rose by nearly 3% to hover around $78.85 per barrel, while WTI climbed to $77.20, as traders priced in geopolitical risk.

Analysts warn that a full-blown U.S. attack on Iran—or Iranian retaliation that disrupts oil flows—could send prices skyrocketing. JPMorgan analysts estimate that in a worst-case scenario involving 3 million barrels per day going offline, oil could surge to $120–130 per barrel. Citi forecasts a more moderate rise to $90 if about 1.1 million barrels are disrupted, a scenario already viewed as plausible if Iran takes early action.

Higher oil prices would ripple through the global economy. U.S. gasoline prices could spike to over $4 per gallon, and developing countries would face steeper import bills and slower growth. Insurance costs for shipping in the Gulf are also expected to climb sharply.

Despite clear military signaling, Trump has publicly denied reports suggesting he has already approved a strike on Iran. Responding to a Wall Street Journal article, the president wrote on Truth Social: “The Wall Street Journal has no idea what my thoughts are concerning Iran!”

Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, Marwan Bishara, suggests that Trump’s ambiguous stance could be deliberate—“a pretext to camouflage whatever his intentions are and attack tomorrow,” he said.

Tehran, meanwhile, remains skeptical of U.S. intentions. Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Doha, Doha Jabbari, noted that “assuming the Israelis have the green light from the Americans… there is going to be very little trust there.”

However, Iran is sending its diplomats to Geneva for EU-led talks, understanding the optics of walking away from diplomacy would paint Tehran as the aggressor.

Global Pressure Mounts

Russia and China have both warned against U.S. entry into the conflict and called for an immediate ceasefire. The Kremlin labeled Israel’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites “reckless” and urged all parties to de-escalate. Beijing, which imports a significant portion of its energy through the Gulf, has also lobbied for diplomatic channels to remain open.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and UN Secretary-General António Guterres have both expressed concern at the rapid deterioration of regional stability and called for restraint on all sides.

For now, the world watches and waits as Trump weighs one of the most consequential decisions of his presidency. With diplomatic channels still active and European nations scrambling to mediate, there remains a narrow window to avoid direct confrontation.

But if talks collapse or Israel intensifies its military campaign, the calculus in Washington could shift. If the U.S. enters the war, Iran has made it clear that the price may be felt not only in the Middle East—but at gas stations, shipping ports, and stock exchanges across the world.

Education startups face a tough challenge. You need to sell services in a crowded market. You must stay credible. You can’t seem too “salesy.” The balance is hard. Push too much, you scare away customers. Sounds too academic, you won’t convert visitors. Content that teaches and sells means knowing how students think.

Understanding Your Educational Market and Audience

First, know who you’re writing for. Are they stressed students with deadlines? Parents worried about grades? Schools seeking resources? Each group needs a different approach.

Many startups create content for “everyone in education.” This makes boring content that reaches no one. Get specific instead. Create profiles based on real users.

For example, EssayWriterCheap.org targets college students with tight budgets. Their content tackles real problems. Short deadlines. Hard assignments. Strict professors. This helps students feel understood.

Student-focused writing strategies should match how students read content. They read fast. They use phones. They have many distractions. Use scannable formats. Use examples they relate to. Use language that challenges you.

Research found specific content gets 3x more engagement than broad content. When content feels made just for the reader, conversion goes up.

Crafting Compelling Educational Content That Converts

Once you know your audience, create content that drives action. Educational content has a special challenge. It needs to show smarts. It must be simple to get. It should push action.

Elements of content that converts include:

• Clear naming of a specific problem
• Examples showing you get this problem
• Brief reasons why it’s hard to fix alone
• Your solution with clear benefits
• Proof supporting your claims
• Simple steps to start

High-converting academic content follows a problem-solution format. First, name a problem. Next, explain why it matters. Last, show your service as the fix.

Don’t write about “Better Essays.” Write about “How Engineering Students Can Impress Professors.” Specific content hits defined groups with real challenges.

EssayWriterCheap.org employs strict privacy measures — customer data is never shared with third parties. Put trust info into your content. Address worries about using your services. Include privacy, quality, and guarantee info naturally.

Building Trust and Authority in Educational Writing

Educational services need clear authority. Education involves deep trust. Students and parents want reliable help.

Trust signals to include:

1. Writer skills and background
2. Research and data points
3. Student success stories
4. Clear info on your process
5. Clear rules on privacy and fixes

Educational content marketing tips often push sounding smart. This can backfire. It makes content dry and hard to read. Good marketing keeps authority while using friendly language.

Studies show 70% of people trust user reviews over brand claims. Include real testimonials. Show how you helped real students with similar problems.

Be honest about limits. Don’t claim to work for everyone. Share who benefits most. This builds trust with ideal customers.

Creating Content Formats That Engage Students

Different content types serve different goals. Know which types work best at each marketing stage.

High-performing formats:

• Big guides for SEO and trust
• Quick tools for getting leads
• Comparison charts for decisions
• FAQs for fixing doubts
• Success stories for motivation

Essay promotion for edtech brands works best when it follows the student path. Early content should find problems. Middle content should compare fixes. Late content should give proof and ease concerns.

Different platforms need different formats. Long guides work for search. Short posts work for society. Know how people read content on each site.

Khan Academy does this well. They give deep resources for trust. They offer quick tools for fast help and keeping interest.

Measuring Success and Optimizing Results

Creating good content isn’t one-and-done. It needs ongoing checks. Track numbers to see what works.

Key things to watch:

• How long people read
• How many leads you get
• Which content leads to sales
• What readers say
• What competitors do

Copywriting for online education tools should keep changing. First versions rarely work best. Plan updates based on data and what users say.

Test headlines, buttons, and content setup. Small changes can bring big results. One site raised sales by 28% by changing “Sign Up” to “Start Learning.”

Good startups see content as part of their teaching mission. When content gives value and fixes real needs, it guides readers to your services.

Choosing where to set up your business in Dubai isn’t just a paperwork task. It shapes how fast you grow, who you can serve, and what rules you follow. Pick wrong, and you might spend more, reach fewer customers, or hit a dead end you didn’t see coming.

Let’s break down the real difference between Free Zone vs Mainland setups—and what each means for your future.

What Is a Free Zone?

A Free Zone is a special area where you can start and run a business with full foreign ownership. You don’t need a local partner. These zones are built to attract international investors. Each Free Zone has its own authority and rules.

You can choose from over 40 Free Zones in the UAE. Some are made for tech companies. Others are better for trade, media, or services. Most let you work from a flexi desk or small office. Some allow full remote operations.

But here’s the catch—Free Zone companies can’t trade directly inside the UAE without a local distributor or agent. You can sell online or ship globally, but not operate freely in the local market. To better understand the legal and operational impact of each setup, read GCG Structuring’s full guide on Free Zone vs Mainland in Dubai.

What Is a Mainland Company?

A Mainland company is licensed by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). It gives you access to the full UAE market. You can trade locally without needing a middleman. You can bid on government contracts. You can open branches across the country.

In most sectors, you also get 100% foreign ownership now. You don’t need a local sponsor anymore, though it’s still required in a few fields like oil and gas.

To set up, you need a physical office—at least 200 square feet. Visa allowances depend on your space. So do some tax and compliance rules.

Why Choosing Wrong Can Hurt Your Business

1. You Might Not Reach Your Market

Say you open a Free Zone business but want to sell in Dubai malls or work with UAE clients face to face. You can’t do that directly. You’d need to hire a local agent, which adds cost and limits control.

If your core market is inside the UAE, you need a Mainland license. Free Zones are best when you sell online, export goods, or serve overseas clients.

2. You Could Get Stuck on Space and Visas

Free Zones have visa caps. Some allow 2–3 visas with a flexi desk. If your team grows, you’ll need to lease more space or restructure.

Mainland companies give you more visa flexibility, tied to the size of your office. If you plan to hire locally, mainland may be the smarter long-term choice.

3. Costs Can Surprise You Later

Free Zones seem cheaper upfront. But if you need a local distributor, pay for import permits, or expand office space, costs can add up fast.

Mainland setups may cost more at the start, but give you direct control, better reach, and fewer middlemen. Over time, it may be the more cost-efficient route.

4. You May Limit Future Growth

Some government contracts, tenders, and licensing options are only open to Mainland companies. If you plan to work with local authorities or scale into regulated fields, Free Zones may hold you back.

On the other hand, if you want a simple export-focused company, Free Zones are perfect. Just make sure your long-term goals match the setup.

Who Should Choose Free Zone?

• Solo consultants and freelancers
• E-commerce or digital service providers
• Import/export businesses focused outside the UAE
• Companies that want to test the UAE market before scaling

Who Should Choose Mainland?

• Retail, real estate, or food businesses
• Local service providers (marketing, legal, logistics)
• Anyone targeting customers inside the UAE
• Firms planning to scale, hire locally, or open branches

Still Not Sure?

Start by asking yourself:

• Where are my customers?
• Do I need a local office?
• How fast will my team grow?
• Do I want access to UAE tenders or contracts?
• Is remote operation enough for now?

If you’re unclear, don’t guess. The setup you choose now affects how you operate tomorrow.

Final Word

Both Free Zone and Mainland options have their place. Neither is better by default. But one is better for you—based on your activity, market, and goals.

Choosing the wrong setup might not ruin your business. But it could slow your growth, shrink your market, or pile on costs you didn’t plan for.

Start smart. Ask the right questions. And if you need help, talk to someone who’s done this before.