Highlights:

• South Korea's Lee Says Security Intact Even if US Weapons Moved — President Lee Jae Myung stated that Seoul's defense capabilities against North Korea would remain adequate even if the US relocates air defense assets due to the Iran conflict. Bloomberg Politics

• Democrats Vow to Stall Senate Until Trump Team Explains Iran War — Senate Democrats are threatening procedural disruptions unless Republicans hold public hearings with Trump administration officials on the justification for attacks on Iran. Bloomberg Politics

• Planet Labs Extends Middle East Satellite Imagery Delay on Iran Risks — Planet Labs PBC is extending its commercial satellite imagery hold in the Middle East to two weeks over concerns that intelligence could be used to target NATO members. Bloomberg Politics

• Australia to See Budget Gain, Household Hit in Iran War — Higher LNG and coal export prices from the Iran conflict will boost Australia's fiscal position while surging fuel costs will burden households. Bloomberg Economics

• Pentagon Official Sees Little Chance to Revive Anthropic AI Deal — A top Pentagon official indicated minimal prospects for resuming negotiations with Anthropic over military AI use following the company's legal challenge to a government supply-chain risk designation. Bloomberg Politics

• RBNZ May Face More Inflation Than Expected in Test for Breman — New Zealand inflation is unlikely to decline as much as the central bank forecasts due to Iran war-driven fuel costs, raising odds of an earlier rate hike. Bloomberg Economics

• Trump: Waiving Some Oil-Related Sanctions — President Trump indicated efforts to create an economic off-ramp amid concerns that surging oil prices could disrupt the US economy. Bloomberg Politics

• UK Consumer Confidence Plunges to Four-Month Low Amid Iran War — UK consumer sentiment has dropped sharply since the Middle East conflict began, reflecting global economic spillovers. Bloomberg Economics

• Japan Confirms Economy Expanded as Takaichi Urges Investment — Japan's economy grew more than initially reported in Q4 2025 on stronger corporate investment, with the Prime Minister calling for further spending. Bloomberg Economics

• Legal Fight Reopens Over Trump's Push to Tax Low-Value Imports — A US trade court has revived a challenge to Trump's move to end tariff exemptions for low-dollar imports, affecting online retailers and consumers. Bloomberg Politics