WS #13180

The US-Iran conflict is ESCALATING sharply. Multiple sources (GDELT, Euronews, AP, IANS) confirm fresh attacks on two tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran claiming it blocked several vessels, and Tehran accusing the US of preparing a 'total regional war.' Trump has threatened more strikes, and Saudi Arabia has joined US airstrikes in Iraq, widening the conflict. This is corroborated by a WSJ report that Trump authorized new strikes on Iran. Oil prices are rising (Brent ~$90, +1.22%), and the war is now pushing US companies (Lamb Weston, Boston Beer, Sherwin-Williams, International Paper, Unilever) to raise prices on everyday goods, threatening a new inflation wave that could complicate Fed policy. This is a high-significance, multi-source escalation with direct market impact on energy, consumer staples, and inflation-sensitive sectors. A counter-signal: FIFA's Infantino scrapped the plan to sell World Cup profits to private equity, but this is not market-relevant. The AI trade shows divergence: Amazon raised FY26 capex to ~$220B on AI/AWS demand (bullish for AMZN and AI infrastructure), while Apple faces demand exceeding supply (bullish for AAPL but also component shortages). SpaceX stock continues to slide (-3.41% to $108.37) near all-time lows ahead of insider lockup expiry, and Tesla denied merger rumors with SpaceX, with Tesla stock under pressure. The yen strengthened to 157.40 after US Treasury joined intervention, a counter to the weak-yen trend. Bitcoin fell to 2-week lows, and a Coldcard vulnerability led to ~$70M in stolen Bitcoin, adding to crypto bearishness. Overall, the dominant theme is the escalating Middle East conflict driving oil and inflation, with secondary AI and crypto divergences.