IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER SAYS A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE GULF AND STRAIT OF HORMUZ IS TAKING SHAPE

META - TO OFFER MULTIPLE SERIES OF SENIOR NOTES - SEC FILING META - OFFERING SIX TRANCHES OF SENIOR NOTES WITH VARYING MATURITIES - SEC FILING

China / Policy & Domestic - Shenzhen further eases home purchase restrictions - Wang Yi holds China–Australia diplomatic and strategic dialogue with Foreign Minister Penny Wong - Market regulator steps up crackdown on online food marketing misconduct Central Banks & Monetary Policy - Federal Reserve April meeting: holds rates unchanged as expected - Warsh’s nomination as Fed chair clears Senate committee vote, pending full Senate confirmation Commodities & Energy - World Gold Council: global central banks increased gold purchases in Q1 at the fastest pace in over a year - EIA: US weekly crude exports rise to a record above 6 million bpd; net imports fall to a record low Geopolitics – US–Iran - Iran warns of “unprecedented military action” if the US continues detaining vessels; retaliation remains on agenda - White House official: Trump discussed plans with oil companies to sustain blockade measures for months if needed - Iranian rial falls to a record low - Pakistan expected to receive Iran’s revised proposal by Wednesday or Friday - Trump: Russia–Ukraine and Iran conflicts could end around the same time; blockade won’t be lifted before nuclear issue resolved - Pentagon: US has spent $25 billion on the war so far - Israeli military: Hamas military intelligence operations chief killed - USS Gerald R. Ford may withdraw from the Middle East after record deployment - Sources: US military prepared a “short-term, high-intensity” strike option on Iran if talks stall - Trump: negotiations with Iran are ongoing via phone, describing them as efficient