HOUSE SPEAKER JOHNSON: TROOP BUILDUP NEAR IRAN DOES NOT NECESSARILY SIGNAL A GROUND INVASION

IRAN WANTS INT'L RECOGNITION OF AUTHORITY OVER HORMUZ STRAIT

South Korea is strengthening contingency plans as Middle East tensions persist, with Prime Minister Kim Min-seok calling for a whole-of-government response. An emergency economic task force and situation room will be set up, while a supplementary budget of about 25 trillion won ($16.7 billion) is being prepared to address rising energy costs, support households and stabilize supply chains. The government has already imposed a fuel price cap and may cut fuel taxes. The move comes as the country, which imports about 70% of its crude from the Middle East, faces inflation and growth risks from potential supply disruptions.