CoinEx News: On May 18, oil-linked inflation risk intensified as the EIA and IEA flagged continued disruption around the Strait of Hormuz and tightening Gulf supply. The EIA forecast Brent crude to average around $106/b in May and June, while the IEA said supply losses are drawing down global inventories at a record pace; Brent’s surge also lifted U.S. Treasury yields and pushed gold to a 1.5-month low as real-rate pressure offset haven demand. President Trump warned Iran it would face harsher strikes if it refuses a U.S.-backed peace framework. The move shows how Middle East escalation is feeding into oil prices, inflation fears and rate expectations, adding pressure on BTC as traders reduce bets on rate cuts and price in the risk of higher rates.