SECURITY: Iranian Retaliation 'Most Probably' Take Place In Coming Hours - Amwaj
Amwaj Media reports that "Iran will 'most probably' in the coming hours launch an attack on US military installations in retaliation for the [US strike on nuclear targets]... a high-ranking political source in Tehran said the decision to strike US interests in the region has been made, but that senior officials and commanders are still holding consultations on the precise targets. The source declined to reveal which particular American installations are being considered for possible attacks."
- Amwaj reports: "Iran received prior notice of the [June 22] US bombings along with a private communication from the Trump administration that it does not seek a broader conflict. That dynamic suggested that Trump seeks a repeat of the events of Jan. 2020, when Iran fired ballistic missiles at evacuated American bases in Iraq in retaliation for the US assassination of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani."
- The report continues: "At the time, Trump opted to absorb the largely symbolic Iranian strike, acknowledging that Tehran needed to save face. However, under current conditions, with the Islamic Republic perceived to be on the backfoot in the face of setbacks in the region—while under an ongoing Israeli attack which has left top military commanders and nuclear scientists dead—the US president’s tolerance for an Iranian response may be lower."
Want to read more?
Find more articles and bullets on these widgets:
Historical bullets
JGB TECHS: (M5) Rallies off Lows
- RES 3: 147.74 - High Jan 15 and bull trigger (cont)
- RES 2: 146.53 - High Aug 6
- RES 1: 141.48/142.95 - High May 2 / High Apr 7
- PRICE: 139.40 @ 15:42 GMT May 23
- SUP 1: 138.54 - Low May 22
- SUP 2: 136.57 - 1.382 proj of the Jan 28 - Feb 20 - Feb 26 bear leg
- SUP 3: 134.89 - 2.000 proj of the Jan 28 - Feb 20 - Feb 26 bear leg
JGBs have rallied off recent lows and for now, however a bearish theme remains intact following the reversal that started Apr 7. A continuation lower would signal scope for an extension towards 136.57, a Fibonacci projection. On the upside, a reversal higher would instead refocus attention on 142.95, the Apr 7 high. The first important resistance to watch is 141.48, the May 2 high. A break of this level would be viewed as an early bullish signal.
US FISCAL: Total Tariff Income Jumping In May As New Rates Hit
Treasury reported a record $16.5B in customs/excise taxes on May 22, reflecting the large increase in tariff rates that went into effect in April.
- Today's report is important because it represents the largest tariff collections of the month which are typically on a due date around the 22nd, when most corporate importers make their payments.
- Thursday's one-day collection is a record, and the month has already set a new record. Tariff revenues have totaled $22.3B so far in May, and are came in at $17.4B in April (after averaging $8.1B/month in 2024).
- For the fiscal year as a whole so far, customs duties have totaled just under $93B, per the Treasury Daily Statement.
US FISCAL: Extraordinary Measures Continue To Dissipate Alongside Treasury Cash
Treasury's latest estimate of the size of "extraordinary measures" available to use "in order to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations as Congress deliberate[s] on increasing the debt limit" is down to $67B on May 21 (of an available $299B), vs $82B a week earlier.
- The amount hit the 2nd lowest level since the debt limit impasse started, at $46B, on May 20 (the low was $34B on Feb 24).
- With $476B in cash in the Treasury General Account on May 21, that left the total resources available to Treasury at $543B, the least since April 14 - the day before the annual April 15 tax deadline.
- Treasury Sec Bessent warned Congress earlier this month that "there is a reasonable probability that the federal government's cash and extraordinary measures will be exhausted in August while Congress is scheduled to be in recess. Therefore, I respectfully urge Congress to increase or suspend the debt limit by mid-July".
