1235 Hormuz, Houthis & The Doomsday Plane — The $160B War Nobody Priced

10 Mar 2026The E6B Mercury aircraft, a flying command node, has been continuously airborne since the conflict began, signalling a potential escalation. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial choke point for global oil and gas, is threatened by Iran’s control and the Houthi movement’s potential re-engagement, potentially disrupting the global economy. The US is spending $891 million per day on this conflict, with costs exceeding $160 billion for six months.The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is straining US resources, particularly its THAAD interceptor stockpile, which is being depleted faster than it can be replenished. This depletion weakens US deterrence against adversaries like China, who are closely monitoring the situation and supplying Iran with drone components. The US, lacking a clear endgame and facing limited conventional options, is deploying its nuclear command aircraft, signalling a potential escalation and a need to keep extreme options available.