WS #9530
The US-Iran conflict has escalated sharply in the last 30 minutes, with multiple sources reporting new US airstrikes on Iran for a second consecutive day, Iranian retaliation including missiles entering Jordanian airspace, and Iran declaring the Strait of Hormuz closed to oil tankers and commercial shipping. Oil prices surged 2.94% as a result, with Battalion Oil (BATL) soaring 57% intraday and adding 16% after hours. Copper fell to a three-week low on growth concerns. Trump stated Iranian officials pleaded for a halt to bombing, but he threatened to 'bomb the shit out of them' if no deal is reached. The Strait of Hormuz closure is a major escalation that threatens global oil supply. Separately, OpenAI is considering drastic token price cuts to counter Anthropic, and KKR launched a $10BN data centre group led by former AWS chief. China Resources New Energy's $3.6B IPO smashed records on Shenzhen exchange. Inflation data showed US CPI rose 4.2% YoY, the fastest in three years, driven by energy costs. Trump said he 'loves the inflation' but promised it would fall post-war.
Key developments
- Iran declares Strait of Hormuz closed to oil tankers and commercial shipping
- US launches new airstrikes on Iran for second day; Iranian missiles enter Jordanian airspace
- Oil surges 2.94%; Battalion Oil (BATL) soars 57% intraday, adds 16% after hours
- US CPI rises 4.2% YoY, fastest in three years; Trump says he 'loves the inflation'
- OpenAI considers drastic token price cuts to counter Anthropic
- KKR launches $10BN data centre group led by former AWS chief
- China Resources New Energy's $3.6B IPO smashes records on Shenzhen exchange