WS #11622

The dominant narrative in this window is a sharp escalation in the Strait of Hormuz crisis, with the US revoking Iran's oil sanctions waiver after multiple tanker attacks, sending oil prices surging ~5-6% (Brent above $76, WTI above $72). This is corroborated by FT, Al Jazeera, GDELT, and multiple news outlets. The move counters the prior ceasefire narrative and threatens to reignite the US-Iran conflict, with direct implications for energy stocks, airlines, and consumer sectors. Separately, AI/chip stocks sold off sharply (Nasdaq -1.2%, SOX -5.15%) after Samsung's blowout earnings failed to meet sky-high expectations, with Intel -10%, AMD -6.5%, Micron -5%. This is a continuation of the AI rotation theme, now ESCALATING. Apple received a bullish JPMorgan price target raise to $345, citing demand resilience, providing a MAG7 counter-signal to the tech weakness. The situation is ESCALATING on both the Hormuz and AI fronts.