So the Iranians wouldn’t give up their uranium enrichment or dismantle their enrichment facilities. Or hand over their already enriched uranium. So President Trump turned the tables, applied some Trumpian Jiu-Jitsu, and put a United States naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz that will be enforced in the Gulf of Oman.

I’m not sure anybody yet knows how this is all going to go down, but at least beginning today, here’s what America’s Central Command said: “Any vessel entering or departing the blockaded area without authorization is subject to interception, diversion, and capture. The blockade will not impede neutral transit passage through the Strait of Hormuz to or from non-Iranian destinations.”

To my way of thinking, what that means is that anybody that does business with Iran is going to have their ships blockaded. And if the Iranian motorboats take pot shots at our Navy, we will obliterate them just the way we did with all those Venezuelan drug boats. To a large extent, Mr. Trump has adopted the Venezuela model. Iran sells no oil, makes no money, therefore can’t disperse any money they don’t have, and America takes de facto control of the whole Persian Gulf area.

The president had to say about all of this: “It’s called all in, and all out.” He added: “We think that numerous countries are going to be helping us with this also, but we’re putting on a complete blockade. We’re not going to let Iran make money on selling oil to people that they like, and not people that they don’t like or whatever it is. It’s going to be all or none,” and “I predict they come back and give us everything we want.”

I say good. Then there’s the question of when will Iran go completely bankrupt? Some quick numbers from several sources, including TIPP Insights and Foundation for Defense of Democracies more than 90 percent of Iran’s nearly 110 billion in annual trade transits the Persian Gulf, crude oil alone was earning $139 million per day before the war started. Petrochemicals earn another $54 million per day.

So at $435 million a day in lost revenues, that comes to $159 billion over a year. That $159 billion loss of revenues is roughly 50 percent more than the entire Iranian budget which comes to roughly $100 billion. At what point does bankruptcy come into play? I honestly don’t know yet.

According to sources, on-shore oil storage in Iran begins to top out in about 13 days. So that means the infrastructure shutting will cause permanent damage. Whether this economic obliteration will bring Iran back to the negotiating table remains to be seen.

There’s a couple of Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps crazies that seem to be leaders right now, Mojtaba Vehedi, and Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf. So I wouldn’t be so sure about any benevolent regime change. The big question is how long will it take to starve them out?

HOUSTON — Intuitive Machines Inc. shares rose more than 2% in early trading Monday to $24.14 as the lunar exploration company continued to draw investor interest following its recent $180.4 million NASA contract win and ambitious full-year 2026 revenue guidance of $900 million to $1 billion, nearly five times 2025 levels.

The modest gain came amid ongoing enthusiasm for commercial space plays, with Intuitive Machines benefiting from renewed focus on NASA’s Artemis program and the company’s expanding role in delivering payloads and infrastructure to the lunar surface. The stock has shown significant volatility in recent weeks, surging as much as 37% in early April after the major NASA award before experiencing some pullback.

Intuitive Machines announced the $180.4 million Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) task order from NASA on March 24. The contract calls for the company to deliver seven science and technology payloads — including an Australian Space Agency lunar rover and technologies from Blue Origin’s Honeybee Robotics — to the lunar South Pole region using its larger Nova-D class lander. This marks the company’s fifth CLPS task order and the first requiring the heavier cargo-class lander, expanding its operational capabilities on the Moon.

The award adds substantial visibility to Intuitive Machines’ backlog, which stood at approximately $943 million as of late February after incorporating the Lanteris Space Systems acquisition and other program wins. About 60-65% of the backlog is expected to convert to revenue in 2026, providing a strong foundation for growth.

In its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings released March 19, Intuitive Machines projected 2026 revenue between $900 million and $1 billion, with positive adjusted EBITDA for the year. The outlook reflects contributions from lunar missions, national security contracts such as the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 3 Tracking Layer, and diversified services following strategic acquisitions.

The company has successfully completed two lunar missions — IM-1 and IM-2 — demonstrating its Nova-C lander’s ability to achieve soft landings and conduct operations on the lunar surface, including the southernmost operations to date. IM-3 remains on track for a 2026 launch, with IM-4 and the newly awarded IM-5 missions following in subsequent years.

Intuitive Machines has also broadened its portfolio beyond pure lunar landers. The acquisition of Lanteris Space Systems (formerly Maxar Space Systems) for roughly $800 million in early 2026 added satellite manufacturing capabilities, while the purchase of KinetX Aerospace strengthened its space navigation and flight dynamics expertise. These moves have diversified revenue streams into national security and commercial satellite programs.

A $175 million strategic equity investment announced earlier in 2026 provided additional capital to support growth initiatives, including expansion of its Space Data Network for persistent lunar connectivity. The company launched EchoStar XXV and continues to pursue opportunities in in-space data processing and communications.

Despite the strong top-line momentum, challenges remain. Fourth-quarter 2025 revenue came in at $44.8 million, missing some estimates, and the company continues to manage cash burn as it scales operations. Free cash flow use improved year-over-year to $56 million in 2025, but profitability remains a focus as higher-margin service revenue grows.

Analysts have responded positively to the NASA contract and guidance. Several firms raised price targets following the March announcements, with consensus leaning bullish on the long-term runway in lunar infrastructure. The stock hit all-time highs near $24.30 in early April amid the contract news and broader excitement around NASA’s Artemis II crewed lunar flyby mission.

Intuitive Machines’ technology emphasizes scalable lunar landers, autonomous surface operations and communications networks designed to support sustained human and robotic presence on the Moon. Its Space Data Network aims to provide reliable connectivity across the lunar surface and cislunar space, a critical enabler for future Artemis missions and potential commercial activities such as resource utilization.

The company’s Houston headquarters positions it at the heart of NASA’s lunar ambitions, with strong ties to the agency’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. Success on IM-1 and IM-2 has built credibility, helping secure larger and more complex task orders.

Broader sector tailwinds have supported the stock. Renewed U.S. commitment to returning astronauts to the Moon, combined with commercial interest in lunar economy opportunities, has lifted valuations across space infrastructure names. Intuitive Machines stands out for its proven landing track record and expanding payload delivery capabilities.

Risks include execution on complex missions, potential delays in launch schedules, competition from other CLPS providers and the capital-intensive nature of space hardware development. The stock remains highly volatile, typical for small-cap space companies with binary mission outcomes and heavy reliance on government contracts.

As of Monday, trading volume appeared moderate, with the 2.44% gain reflecting continued optimism rather than fresh catalysts. Investors will watch for updates on IM-3 preparations and any additional contract awards in the coming months. First-quarter 2026 results are expected in early May.

Intuitive Machines has evolved rapidly from a startup focused on lunar landings to a broader space infrastructure and services provider. Its backlog growth, successful missions and strategic acquisitions have transformed its profile, attracting both retail momentum traders and institutional interest in the commercial space sector.

For long-term believers, the company’s path hinges on converting its substantial backlog into revenue while maintaining operational excellence on upcoming lunar flights. Positive execution could validate the aggressive 2026 guidance and support further re-rating of the stock.

Monday’s modest advance kept the shares trading near recent highs, underscoring sustained investor appetite for companies playing key roles in humanity’s return to the Moon. With multiple missions on the horizon and a diversified business base, Intuitive Machines appears well-positioned to benefit from the next phase of lunar exploration and commercialization.

This article was written by

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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Two more drugmakers are adding to the TrumpRx.gov website for prescription medication discounts.

Merck added three popular Type 2 diabetes medications, cutting the cost by 74%. Januvia, Janumet and Janumet XR will all cost $84.57, down from $330.

This is the 12th company to add medication to the “most-favored-nation” pricing.

BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB ADDING 3 MEDICATIONS ON TRUMPRX

Meanwhile, Sanofi will become the 13th company to offer the discounts, listing diabetes, tuberculosis and blood medications on the website.

RISING HEALTHCARE COSTS, INSURANCE PREMIUMS NOW WORRY AMERICANS MORE THAN ANY OTHER DOMESTIC ISSUE: POLL

Sanofi’s most expensive medication to be added, Toujeo, will be marked down 92%. It will cost $35, down from $428.57, through TrumpRx.gov.

Ticker	Security	Last	Change	Change %
MRK	MERCK & CO. INC.	120.15	-1.27	-1.05%
SNY	SANOFI	46.96	+0.20	+0.43%

More recently, Bristol Myers Squibb added three medications to the government website in late March.

TWO MAJOR DRUG COMPANIES ARE THE LATEST TO JOIN TRUMPRX

President Donald Trump said pharmaceutical companies came to the table because of tariffs.

The Trump administration is implementing 100% tariffs on imported, branded and patented pharmaceutical products. The tariffs will be waived for companies that agree to most-favored-nation drug pricing deals.

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Prescription drug prices fell 1.5% in March on a monthly basis, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest consumer price index data. Prices declined 0.2% from one year ago.

Shares of Goldman Sachs Group Inc fell nearly 5% to hit a low of $865.34 on the NYSE amid lackluster trade on Wall Street as frontline indices fell after Iran-US negotiations in Pakistan did not yield desired results. The stock fell despite the company reporting decent Q1 earnings on Monday.

The company reported a net revenue of $17.23 billion in the January-March quarter, recording a 14% year-on-year growth compared to $15.06 billion in the year ago period. The net revenue shot up 28% sequentially versus $13.45 billion in Q4CY25.

The company’s net earnings in the reported quarter stood at $5.63 billion, up 19% YoY versus $4.74 billion in Q1CY25. The profit surged 22% quarter-n-quarter versus $4.62 posted by the company in the quarter ended December 31, 2025.

Commenting on the company’s results, David Solomon, Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, said, “Goldman Sachs delivered very strong performance for our shareholders this quarter, even as market conditions became more volatile. Our clients continue to depend on us for high quality execution and insights amid the broader uncertainty, and we remain confident in how we’ve positioned our businesses. The geopolitical landscape remains very complex – so disciplined risk management must remain core to how we operate.”

Global markets have been roiled by the Iran war as rising crude oil prices fan inflation fears and exacerbate worries about a recession.

Goldman’s revenue from equity trading intermediation and financing rose 27% to a record $5.33 billion, while that from fixed income, currencies and commodities fell 10% to $4.01 billion.
Profit applicable to common shareholders jumped to $5.4 billion, or $17.55 per share, compared with $4.58 billion, or $14.12 per share, a year earlier.Global M&A volumes hit $1.38 trillion in the first quarter, according to data compiled by Dealogic. Analysts at ⁠Jefferies noted that ‌global M&A proxy fees rose 19% year-over-year to $11.3 billion, with Goldman leading the pack in market share.

The investment bank worked on some large deals in the first quarter, including advising Unilever on the planned merger of its ⁠food business with McCormick to create a $65 billion company, and Equitable’s proposed tie-up with Corebridge to form a $22 billion insurer.

Its fees from investment banking rose to $2.84 billion in the first quarter, a 48% jump from a year ago.

Shares of the Wall Street giant have risen over 3% so far this year, after a more than 53% jump in 2025.

(With inputs from agencies)

(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)

Shares of CoreWeave surged 12% on Monday to hit a high of $114.10 on Nasdaq after the cloud infrastructure firm on Friday struck a multi-year agreement with Anthropic to support the development and deployment of Anthropic’s Claude family of AI models.

With today’s gains, CoreWeave shares have extended their winning streak to five sessions in a row, rallying nearly 40% in this period. The stock traded amid high volumes with over 28 million shares changing hands around 11:31 AM ET (9:01 pm India time)

The multi-year agreement will bring compute online starting later this year, CoreWeave’s filing to the exchanges on Friday said.

“CoreWeave joins Anthropic’s growing ecosystem of infrastructure partners helping to scale the adoption of Anthropic’s AI models across developers, startups, and enterprises worldwide. With the addition of Anthropic, nine of the leading ten AI model providers now leverage CoreWeave’s platform, reflecting the growing demand for infrastructure that can support AI at scale,” the company filing said.

Under the agreement, Anthropic will use CoreWeave’s cloud platform to run workloads at production scale, while benefitting from its industry-leading performance and reliability.

CoreWeave’s AI cloud delivers industry-leading performance and efficiency through an end-to-end technology stack optimized for modern AI workloads. CoreWeave consistently sets new standards for performance, demonstrated by an industry-leading MLPerf benchmark for AI workloads and its position as the only AI cloud to earn the top Platinum ranking in both SemiAnalysis ClusterMAX™ 1.0 and 2.0, which evaluate AI cloud performance, efficiency, and reliability.
“AI is no longer just about infrastructure, it’s about the platforms that turn models into real-world impact,” said Michael Intrator, Co-founder, CEO, Chairman of CoreWeave. “We’re excited to work with Anthropic at the center of where models are put to work and performance in production shows up. It’s exactly the kind of real-world deployment of AI that CoreWeave was built for,” Intrator said.The collaboration between Anthropic and CoreWeave will initially focus on a phased infrastructure roll-out with the potential to expand over time.

Also read: Goldman Sachs shares fall 5% despite 19% YoY earnings growth amid Wall Street gloom

(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)

There are career journeys that follow a straight line, predictable, uniform, and comfortable. And then there are journeys shaped by the weight of public life: the pressure, scrutiny, and its transformative demands. Dr Ali Dizaei’s career story belongs to the second category.

Dr Ali Dizaei’s journey from the operational corridors of Scotland to the boardrooms of an international security consultancy is defined by command, reinvention, and the kind of resilience that only emerges when the stakes have been genuinely high.

A Foundation Built Inside One of the World’s Most Demanding Institutions

Dr Ali Dizaei

started his career in 1986 with Thames Valley Police, rising through the ranks before transferring to the Metropolitan Police Service as a Superintendent in 1999. Over the years, he ascended steadily through one of the most complex law enforcement environments in the world, ultimately reaching the rank of Commander at Scotland Yard, placing him among the uppermost tier of British policing.

This position demands strategic oversight of large operational units, accountability within a rigid public framework, and the capacity to exercise judgement in high- stakes situations where the consequences of error are significant and visible. These responsibilities require skills not acquired in school but through sustained operational experience, and they leave a mark that no career transition can erase.

More Than a Title: The Nature of His Authority

What makes Dr Ali Dizaei unique within the institution is the way he approached it. He is known for qualities that are difficult to train: intellectual sharpness, direct communication, and an unwillingness to retreat from a position under pressure. Those who have worked with him noted his decisiveness rather than hesitation for clarity in environments where ambiguity is the norm.

Dr Ali Dizaei’s form of authority is personal rather than procedural. It does not come from an organisation chart to assert itself. It will be evident in the way someone enters a room, chairs a meeting and manages a crisis. It is this quality that distinguishes leaders who define their roles from those who merely occupy them.

A Voice That Challenged the Institution From Within

Apart from the operational command, Dr Dizaei is well known for his prominent and outspoken advocacy for diversity and racial equality within British policing. He was always vocal on race issues, for instance, in 1999, he publicly criticised questions asked in police promotion exams and gained wide media attention. At a time when such challenges from within the institution were rare and professionally costly.

His autobiography, Not One of Us, published in 2017, explains his experiences of racial discrimination within the Metropolitan Police, and today it’s a significant reference point in broader conversations about institutional bias, minority representation in public life, and the treatment of ethnic minority officers within British law enforcement. His book was later translated into Persian, reflecting an international readership that recognised its relevance far beyond the boundaries of British policing.

The Transition: From Scotland Yard to Global Security Enterprise

The skills that enable effective command at a senior level, situational awareness, risk assessment, intelligence, and the ability to make decisions under pressure, translate directly and powerfully into the private security sector. This is a transition that the most capable former officers make naturally, and Dr Dizaei has made it on an international scale.

With the backing of his background and vast experience, Dr Dizaei founded Covert Security Limited, an international investigations and risk management consultancy specialising in asset tracing, intelligence gathering, fraud detection, and security advice. Covert Security Limited operates as an international risk management, intelligence, and investigations consultancy, strategically headquartered in London, with a clientele that spans corporate and private sectors across multiple jurisdictions. He serves clients with complex security challenges, leveraging access to world-leading databases, intelligence software, and analytical tools, to deliver practical operational support.

What This Journey Reflects

Dr Dizaei’s overall journey leaves a lasting imprint on everyone around him, especially on those who observed them at work. Throughout the journey, the experience of managing complex operations inside a major state institution, of carrying public accountability, and of navigating both the demands and the pressure of senior command produces a genuinely scarce perspective.

His transition from Scotland Yard Commander to global security entrepreneur is not a departure from that career; it is a natural continuation. The same qualities that defined his role within policing, command presence, analytical rigour, and the willingness to operate under pressure, are exactly what the private security sector demands of those who lead it credibly.

Dr. Ali Dizaei’s journey is nothing but an example of a success story about what happens when institutional experience meets entrepreneurial ambition. The result is a leadership profile that is rare, substantive, and built on decades of operating where the pressure is real and the consequences are genuine.