WS #12150

The US-Iran conflict is ESCALATING with a second wave of US strikes launched at 3:00 PM ET targeting Iranian military capabilities near the Strait of Hormuz, confirmed by CENTCOM and multiple sources. Explosions reported in Bandar Abbas, Ahvaz, and Chabahar. Iran's IRGC claims missile strikes against US positions in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. However, Trump simultaneously stated 'Iran wants to settle' and 'we'll find out if we settle with them,' creating a mixed signal that could cap oil price upside. The White House is weighing another extension of Jones Act waivers to ease supply pressures, and Trump abandoned a Hormuz shipping fee plan after Gulf allies' lobbying. Supertankers are increasingly bearing the brunt of attacks, highlighting challenges to oil flows. The IEA strategic reserve is nearly depleted, removing a key buffer. Separately, Anthropic is planning an IPO as early as October, per Bloomberg, which is a bullish signal for AI sector. Apple's China AI approval (powered by Alibaba's Qwen model) is a bullish signal for AAPL, while SpaceX shares fell below IPO price, signaling risk for single-stock ETFs. BofA's July Fund Manager Survey showed 82% of managers believe 'long global semiconductors' is the most crowded trade, suggesting potential for unwinding. The Fed's Beige Book showed economic activity broadened to almost all districts. Morgan Stanley won preliminary OCC approval for a digital-asset trust bank, a bullish signal for crypto adoption. House Republicans unveiled a $95 billion plan for Iran war funding, farm aid, and election grants.