The Iran conflict is escalating fast, pushing oil toward $100 a barrel — bad for drivers, airlines, and anyone holding stocks on borrowed money.

• Iran seized an American unmanned underwater drone, a $2.5 million machine packed with AI sonar and mine-detection gear.
• The bigger worry is China and Russia getting to take it apart and copy the technology.
• Iran has fired missiles at US Navy ships twice in a few days, and the US has hit seven Iranian oil tankers in return.
• Every attack triggers a counterattack, and Iran is now telling people to leave ports in Kuwait and Bahrain.
• The real fear is Russia supplying Iran with cruise missiles that can chase a moving ship, which are far harder to shoot down.

Outlook: If Iran ever actually hits a US ship, expect a sharp drop in stocks and another leg up in oil.