Tensions in the Middle East dominated Wednesday's headlines as reports revealed that U.S. President Donald Trump blocked a planned Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, while oil prices climbed back above $110 a barrel as the Strait of Hormuz crisis deepened. Here is the latest from around the world.
Trump blocked Netanyahu's Iran strike plan, report says
According to the Financial Times, citing three people familiar with the matter, the Israel Defense Forces were set to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, regime sites, and civilian infrastructure — including energy plants — over the weekend of October 10. Trump decided against reigniting the conflict ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. The revelation adds a de-escalation note to the U.S.–Israel–Iran standoff, though the region remains on edge: Israel is on heightened military alert ahead of its October 27 parliamentary election amid concerns of a possible Iranian attack.
Hormuz stays closed until U.S. accepts Iran's terms, says Araghchi
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Washington accepts Tehran's conditions, while insisting diplomacy remains possible. He added that Tehran is "ready to resume fighting" if the standoff escalates. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps rejected U.S. claims that oil is moving through the strait, saying only small vessels allegedly smuggling oil are crossing.
Rubio says India–U.S. trade deal is "close"
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said an India–U.S. trade deal is close, urging New Delhi to increase purchases of American energy and defence equipment. A Quad summit is scheduled in the Philippines next month. There were no new China–U.S. or China–UK tariff moves reported during the day.
Brent back above $110 on inventory draw and tanker attacks
Brent crude rose 1.5% to $110.38, moving back above $110 after settling at $108.79 on Tuesday. Prices were lifted by an American Petroleum Institute report showing a 4.9-million-barrel draw in U.S. crude stockpiles for the week ending October 16, along with draws in gasoline and distillate inventories. According to Kpler, there have been more than 18 vessel attacks in the past two weeks, and LSEG data shows attacks expanding beyond Hormuz into the Gulf of Oman, threatening ship-to-ship transfers. The official Energy Information Administration report is due later Wednesday. WTI traded around $99, up about 1.4%.
Strive adds 2,822 more Bitcoin to its treasury
Corporate Bitcoin buyer Strive purchased 2,822 more BTC at an average price of around $83,266 between October 12 and 13, according to analyticsinsight. The company also closed an upsized offering of 7 million SATS preferred shares at $90, which trade on Nasdaq under the ticker SATS. The purchase goes beyond the 1,223 BTC acquisition reported earlier this week.
Bitcoin hovers near $83,000 as AI earnings revive risk appetite
Bitcoin traded around $82,585–82,774, up about 1.3% on the day, hovering just below $83,000. Strong AI-related earnings — SpaceX shares up 8% and Super Micro up 16% — revived the tech and AI trade, lifting Asian markets as well: Korea's Kospi rose 3.7% and Taiwan's Taiex added 1.4%. Delta Exchange data showed $125 million in short positions liquidated within an hour, with open interest at $53.9 billion; support sits near $82,000 and resistance at $83,200–83,500. Hashdex analysts said Bitcoin's nearly yearlong bear phase may be nearing its end, though it must reclaim $84,000 before the Federal Reserve meeting on October 27–28 to confirm renewed strength. Ether rose about 2% to $2,437–2,450, XRP gained 2–3% to $1.33, Dogecoin added 3%, and Solana and BNB rose 1–2%.
Zcash jumps 11% as NU7 upgrade sets mainnet date
Zcash rose about 11% to roughly $1,253–1,290 after the activation height for its NU7 network upgrade was set. The upgrade cuts block times from 75 seconds to 25 seconds, meaning payments confirm about three times faster, and directs 60% of fees into a time-paid reserve. The upgrade has been running on testnet since early October.
No new exchange delisting announcements
There were no fresh exchange delisting announcements during the day. The crypto industry's standing watch-list continues: Binance's EPIC/QUICK copy trading ends today, October 21; the USDT/DAI European Union re-report window opens tomorrow, October 22; Kraken's 14-token delisting is due October 23; and the GYEN conversion plus Upbit and Bithumb BLAST deadlines fall on October 26.
Market snapshot
Bitcoin held near $82,700, up about 1.3% on the day, while Ether rose 2% to around $2,450. Brent crude climbed back above $110 to $110.38 on the inventory draw and continued tanker attacks, with WTI near $99. No new China–U.S. or China–UK tariff moves and no new exchange delisting announcements. Coming up: EPIC/QUICK copy trading ends today, the USDT/DAI EU window opens tomorrow, Kraken's 14-token delisting arrives October 23, Israel's parliamentary election and Binance's Brazil 22-token action on October 27, the FOMC meeting on October 27–28, and the U.S. midterm elections on November 3.
