WS #9568

The US-Iran conflict is ESCALATING sharply. President Trump threatened to strike Iran 'very hard tonight' and seize Kharg Island oil infrastructure, per multiple cross-confirmed sources (Bluesky, Politico, Al Jazeera). Iran's Defense Ministry vowed a decisive response to any attack on territorial integrity. The World Bank cut its 2026 global growth forecast to 2.5% (from 2.9%) citing the conflict, and warned growth could fall to 1.3% if supply disruptions worsen. Brent crude is forecast to average $94/bbl this year, 36% above last year. The Strait of Hormuz closure has deprived global markets of 1 billion barrels of crude. US jet fuel production hit record highs as refiners maximize yields. Gasoline prices in the Midwest are up 45% year-on-year. The House rejected a FISA 702 extension, creating intel gap risk. SpaceX IPO demand tops $100B from retail investors ahead of Friday's listing. Coinbase launched AI agent trading tools. ServiceNow and IBM partnered to accelerate enterprise AI adoption. The Pentagon had a false alarm hazmat lockdown. UK Defence Secretary John Healey resigned over spending cuts, exposing political instability. ECB Consumer Expectations Survey showed inflation perceptions rising. The Bank of England maintained rates at 3.75% with a hawkish tilt. Fed minutes showed division over rate path amid Middle East uncertainty.