Pentagon asks for additional $200bn for Iran war, EU struggling with energy crisis

The U.S. and Israel have tried to project a united front when it comes to the war in

Iran, but three weeks into the conflict, the messages coming from the country's leaders

are starting to diverge and shift.

While U.S. President Donald Trump initially promised to swift into the conflict, he's

now ambivalent about when the military campaign may end.

The Pentagon has asked for an additional $200 billion to fund the fight, but Trump says

he's not putting troops on the ground.

That's in contrast to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a press conference on Thursday, he said a, quote, ground component would be needed.

He added though that Iran's uranium enrichment and missile-building capabilities have been destroyed.

Iran's retaliation has devastated Gulf economies that rely on energy exports.

I thought that was Prime Minister Hamad bin Abdul-Humad Netanyahu says Iran has destroyed

the nation's trust with its aggression. The U.N. Security Council held closed consultations

on the situation in the Middle East, laid on Thursday. Energy security and the member states

affected were top of the agenda. Japan's Prime Minister came face-to-face with Donald Trump

after recent calls by the U.S. President for allies to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Sana'i Takaiji has so far resisted military assistance.

The European Union, on the other hand, is struggling to get a hold of the spike in energy costs.

EU leaders have been holding talks in Brussels. They're demanding an end to attacks on energy

and water infrastructure in the Middle East.

The worst most immediate impact on Europe is on energy. At present, the European Union's

physical security of supply is secure. However, Europe is not immune to global price spikes

and as the conflict continues, energy prices continue to fluctuate.

Just today, the gas price went up by 30 percent after attacks on Katari gas infrastructure.

Coming up on the take, drone strikes are hitting deep inside Pakistan.

What happens when cheap technology starts challenging powerful militaries?

That's the take by Al Jazeera. Find it wherever you get your podcasts.