WS #12395

The US-Iran conflict continues to escalate with the US launching an eighth straight night of strikes against Iran, targeting IRGC forces and infrastructure. Iran retaliated by attacking a Kuwait oil facility, causing significant material losses, and striking a US base in Jordan, killing two US service members and leaving one missing. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, with oil prices surging: WTI at $82.49/bbl and Brent at $88.10/bbl, up ~16% week-over-week. This escalation is driving energy stocks higher and pressuring airlines and consumer sectors. Separately, Apple overtook Nvidia to become the world's most valuable company at $4.88 trillion, as investors rotate from AI hardware to ecosystem monetization. Comcast announced a plan to split into two companies, spinning off NBCUniversal and Sky. The SAVE Act appears dead after Senator Murkowski announced opposition. The dominant theme is US-Iran escalation, which is ESCALATING.