Key Takeaways
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and over 20 states are filing a major lawsuit against Amazon (AMZN), alleging the company manipulated advertising prices to reap tens of billions in illegal profits.
- President Donald Trump is considering "limited, recurring strikes" against Iranian military installations to prevent Tehran from rebuilding its capabilities in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Global oil prices are facing upward pressure as G20 finance officials meet in North Carolina amid the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict and disruptions to maritime trade.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly blamed security chiefs for the October 7 failures, claiming he was not awakened despite "many indicative signs" of an impending attack.
- Iran's Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi used the Shanghai Summit to rally Eurasian allies against "U.S. aggression," while emphasizing that Iran will continue to stand up for its rights.
FTC Targets Amazon’s Advertising "Monopoly"
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), joined by a bipartisan group of more than 20 state attorneys general, is expected to file a complaint against Amazon (AMZN) on Monday. The lawsuit alleges that the e-commerce giant deceived advertisers by covertly boosting the minimum amount they had to pay to post advertisements on its retail platform.
Agency officials claim Amazon (AMZN) profited by tens of billions of dollars over a seven-year period through these manipulative pricing tactics. This marks the third major case brought by the consumer protection agency against the company, following a $2.5 billion settlement last year regarding Prime enrollment practices and an ongoing illegal-monopolization action scheduled for trial next year.
Trump Weighs Military Action in Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing a strategy of limited strikes against Iran to curb its ability to launch attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. According to reports from Axios, the U.S. military aims to prevent Iran from reconstituting its radar and missile capabilities, which have been used to threaten international shipping.
The proposed plan, developed by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), involves "mowing the lawn"—a series of recurring strikes intended to systematically degrade Iranian defensive and offensive infrastructure. This comes as U.S. forces recently struck Iranian targets on Larak Island to prevent the deployment of sea mines, marking a significant escalation in the regional conflict.
G20 Officials Meet Amid Economic Turbulence
Finance ministers and central bank governors from the G20 are gathering in Asheville, North Carolina, as the Iran war drives global oil prices higher and stokes inflation risks. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to press allies for increased economic pressure on Tehran, including new secondary sanctions on banks facilitating Iranian transactions.
The summit is clouded by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has sapped growth from nearly all G20 economies and driven up borrowing costs. While the U.S. seeks a unified front, some European members have expressed concern over the aggressive tariff policies and the potential for a broader regional war.
Netanyahu Deflects Blame for October 7
In a series of detailed remarks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shifted the blame for the October 7 security failure onto his military and intelligence chiefs. Netanyahu claimed that Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar, and Military Intelligence Head Aharon Haliva all had indicative signs of an attack but failed to wake him.
"If they had woken me up, everything would have looked different," Netanyahu stated, asserting that he would have activated the Air Force and mobilized the entire IDF. The comments have sparked fresh controversy in Israel as the government faces a 24-hour deadline to address memorials and ongoing calls for a state commission of inquiry.
Iran Seeks Support at Shanghai Summit
On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Kyrgyzstan, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi held "completely functional" talks with counterparts from Russia, China, and India. Araghchi emphasized that the "Iranian nation will continue to stand up for its rights" in the face of what he termed U.S. aggression.
The SCO summit, which includes Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, has become a platform for Iran to promote a "multipolar world" and seek economic cooperation away from Western formalities. Despite the rhetoric, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian noted that continuing the war is not in Tehran's interest, even as the country maintains its stance on regional sovereignty.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.