The narrative that Iran holds the upper hand is increasingly difficult to defend.
The rial is hitting fresh lows almost daily as the blockade tightens its grip on the economy, while Tehran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz is steadily weakening. Iran’s remaining leverage is its ability to drive oil prices higher—and so far, even that strategy is failing. Source: Robin Brooks
Iranian crude oil exports have plunged in August
The U.S. relies on economic pressure through its naval blockade, rather than military strikes, to coerce Tehran into a deal to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has loaded about 260,000 barrels per day for export at its ports so far this month, a decline of more than 80% compared with 1.7 million bpd in August 2025, according to data shared Thursday by the trade intelligence firm Kpler. Source: CNBC
Abu Dhabi royal group acquires 49% stake in Trump-backed crypto bank
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al Nahyan and co-investors reportedly hold a 49% stake in the holding company behind World Liberty Financial’s proposed U.S. trust bank, per WSJ. The proposed bank received preliminary approval from the Trump administration this month, bringing the Trump-backed crypto venture closer to launching its own U.S. banking operation. World Liberty Financial will run its USD1 stablecoin. This follows his previously undisclosed $500M investment in World Liberty, $263M of which went to Trump family entities. Source: WSJ
Look who is back... GS defense spending basket has been surging over the last few days on Middle East escalation...
Source: Bloomberg
President Trump told Axios on Thursday that he's seriously considering restarting major combat operations in Iran
Including strikes that would be bigger than the ones carried out during Operation Epic Fury. In a brief interview, Trump acknowledged that such a decision would have consequences and stressed he hasn't made a determination yet. Trump didn't give a deadline for his decision. Two other U.S. officials confirmed no call has been made and no new orders have been given to the military. The current escalation has caused oil prices to eclipse $100 per barrel. A return to all-out war is highly unpopular in the U.S. "I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it," the president said. Trump said Israel "would join in two minutes if I ask them to," but added that "we don't need anybody" to launch a new operation against Iran. He also said there would be "consequences" for Israel joining the strikes, hinting at Iranian retaliation against Israel. Source: Axios
Iraq just signed 48 DEALS with US companies, including with USA oil giants to bypass the Strait of Hormuz via a new pipeline
Total deals are worth over $60 BILLION, per Reuters. Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell and more are also involved They also involved other industries, including healthcare, communications and infrastructure. It’s not clear when the oil deals will be able to create viable alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil flows. Goldman Sachs estimates that pipelines in just one country take at least two and a half years to build, and these pipelines would travel through two or more nations. Iran has sought to close the Strait repeatedly since the U.S.-Iran war began Feb. 28, causing sharp gyrations in oil and gas prices. Alternatives routes for oil will weaken Iran's main bargaining power. Will China be the big loser here? Source: AP, Al Jazeera
Update (7/12 PM): The tape keeps thinning
7 commercial crossings in the last 24h (5 E→W / 2 W→E), down from 11 yesterday and barely ~6% of the Jan–Feb run-rate. Brent's grinding higher, ~$78.79 and climbing as the closure prices in. Flow down, crude up Source: @TheTerminal Michael McDonough
Amid the sharp military escalation, odds of a full Iran blockade by July 13 jumped 50% since the last update 4 days ago
Source: zerohedge, Polymarket
