TD COWEN CUTS BP TARGET PRICE TO $44 FROM $46

The Pentagon is sending thousands of additional troops to the Middle East as the Trump administration escalates pressure on Iran amid a fragile ceasefire, according to U.S. officials. The deployment includes about 6,000 sailors and Marines aboard the USS George H.W. Bush carrier strike group and roughly 4,200 troops from the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group. The forces will reinforce a maritime blockade targeting Iranian shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. officials said the buildup is intended to increase leverage in negotiations but also provides options for further strikes or potential ground operations if diplomacy fails.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy - China Xi to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov - Chinese state media - White House: President Xi assured Trump that China is not supplying weapons to Iran - U.S. sends thousands more troops to Mideast as Trump seeks to squeeze Iran - WaPo - US holds first direct talks with Hamas since Gaza truce as ceasefire stalls - Iran-linked source says Lebanon ceasefire may be approved, duration tied to U.S.-Iran truce - US, Iran said to weigh extending their ceasefire by two weeks - White House: not true US requested Iran ceasefire extension - Iran could consider ships being able to sail through Oman side of Strait of Hormuz without interference or attack as part of a deal with U.S. - source close to Tehran Trade & Policy - China told Maersk and MSC to drop Panama port operations - FT - China considering restrictions on exports of solar manufacturing equipment to United States, sources say Technology & Corporate - Alibaba Cloud raises DDoS pricing - CATL seeks removal from Pentagon military-tied list