According to BlockBeats, U.S. officials said on July 16 that President Trump is inclined to expand military operations against Iran. Potential options include intensified air strikes, deploying ground forces to seize Iranian islands near the Strait of Hormuz, and striking suspected nuclear facilities. On July 15, the U.S. Navy conducted maritime blockade operations against Iran in the Arabian Gulf, halting an empty oil tanker headed to Iranian ports.
U.S. equity markets closed higher on July 15: the Dow Jones rose 0.29%, the S&P 500 climbed 0.38%, and the Nasdaq advanced 0.6%, according to BIT. Bitcoin traded at $64,847, down 0.08% in 24 hours, with $303 million in liquidations across the market.