U.S. forces carried out what the source described as self-defense strikes against Iranian drones and missiles targeting Kuwait and Bahrain, while a separate report said Iran had launched missile and drone attacks on the two Gulf states. Crypto Briefing said the escalation spilled into financial markets, raising energy-cost concerns and contributing to roughly $700 million in crypto liquidations. The older source also cited prediction-market readings of 17.5% YES for a U.S. invasion of Iran and 25.9% YES for U.S. strikes on eight countries in 2026, noting these were market-implied expectations rather than confirmed military plans.