WS #8606

The dominant signal in this window is the escalating US-Iran confrontation, with multiple sources corroborating a US missile strike on a merchant vessel attempting to breach the blockade of Iranian ports, and US Defense Secretary Hegseth warning of readiness to resume hostilities. This escalates the crisis, as the US has now physically stopped six ships, with one missile strike causing a ship to go adrift. Separately, a suspected Ebola case in Brazil (patient from Congo) introduces a potential health risk that could impact travel and commodity markets. The US jobs report preview is noted but not market-moving. Most other data (sports, entertainment, local news) is noise.