WS #12320

The US-Iran conflict continues to escalate with new airstrikes reported in multiple Iranian provinces (Yazd, Bandar Abbas, Lars, Askan) and a strike on bridges near Bandar Abbas, threatening the Strait of Hormuz. Iran claims to have shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone and state TV reports two oil tankers exploded after passing through a mined route south of the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC claims Americans killed at Al-Tanf, Syria. The UN chief calls for a diplomatic push. Separately, Oracle's credit risk hits a fresh all-time high amid concerns over cash burn and AI investment profitability, with a new Chinese AI model (Kimi K3) pricing aggressively at $0.59 vs Claude Fable 5 at $2.75, threatening the competitive landscape for U.S. AI companies. Iraq reaches a deal with JPMorgan to open a branch in Iraq, which could signal financial normalization. The prevailing US-Iran narrative is ESCALATING, with new attacks on oil tankers and bridges directly threatening energy infrastructure and global shipping.