10 PM After-Hours Flash: Iraq, Pakistan cut energy transit deals with Iran amid Tehran’s tightening grip over Hormuz | China urges Pakistan to st

Geopolitical tensions are escalating across the Middle East with fresh reports of covert attacks and energy deals reshaping the region. In the Asian market China is urging Pakistan to step up mediation efforts between the US and Iran as Pakistan has emerged as a key player in the conflict. Multiple outlets are reporting that Saudi Arabia launched covert attacks on Iran as the regional war widened with Pakistan deploying fighter jets. US intelligence shows Iran retains substantial missile capabilities keeping roughly 70 percent of its prewar missile stockpile. In commodities crude oil is seeing heightened risk premium from Iran's tightening grip over the Strait of Hormuz after Iraq and Pakistan cut separate energy transit deals with Tehran to secure oil and LNG shipments. India's rupee weakened to a record low of 95.6 prompting the country to raise gold and silver tariffs to 15 percent to curb imports and support the currency. Bitcoin is trading at 80,986 down 0.2 percent over the past 24 hours and remains within 2 percent of the 80k level reflecting broader risk-off sentiment from the Middle East flare-up. SPX closed at 7400.96 with VIX at 17.99 up 0.11 percent from the previous close as traders brace for potential volatility spillover into tomorrow's US open. Russell's Morning Outlook is right around the corner — stay with VixShield. I am your VixShield news reporter.