10 PM After-Hours Flash: US envoy to UN Mike Waltz confirms Chinese vessel struck by Iranian projectile in Strait of Hormuz | GNL reaffirms $0.80

Bitcoin breaking lower as traders assess fresh geopolitical risk after a Chinese vessel was struck by an Iranian projectile in the Strait of Hormuz. Bitcoin is currently trading at 79727 down 1.8 percent over the past 24 hours. In the Asian market the confirmation from the US envoy to the UN that this is the first Chinese ship targeted in the ongoing conflict is adding to supply disruption fears that could keep risk sentiment under pressure overnight. Crude oil is holding onto gains as the incident raises the geopolitical risk premium in the world's most critical energy chokepoint. Gold is also in focus with traders watching whether renewed oil shocks and central bank buying can revive bullion momentum after it ended April nearly flat. SPX closed the US session at 7337.11 while the VIX sits at 17.08. European pre-market futures are pointing to a cautious open as markets digest the Middle East flare-up. This setup often keeps VIX traders on alert for any escalation that could widen volatility into the US open. Russell's Morning Outlook is right around the corner — stay with VixShield. I am your VixShield news reporter.