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    Analysis

    May 19, 2026

    Final Thoughts: Iran war takes a bite out of business

    Written by Ethan Bernard

    I remember when a handful of change was enough to take to the pump and give you a couple of days of gas. Well, that era is long gone. And, these days, you might be hard-pressed to find a place that takes change in the first place.

    The US/Israel conflict with Iran started at the very end of February. A temporary US-Iran ceasefire began in early April. Though negotiations continue, the ceasefire remains tenuous, and the crucial Strait of Hormuz remains blocked.

    Ethan Bernard

    Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in the New York office for two years, starting in 2008. Later, he copy edited AMM’s monthly magazine on a freelance basis from 2015 until 2017. With experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing, he holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University. He can be reached at ethan@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7871.

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