Summary：US hints at Iran diplomacy after nine nights of strikes, crypto plunges $350M **Introduction** Aft

referrerpolicy="no-referrer"
style="max-width:100%;height:auto;display:block;margin:0 auto;">

US hints at Iran diplomacy after nine nights of strikes, crypto plunges $350M

**Introduction**
After nine consecutive nights of U.S.-led airstrikes targeting Iranian‑backed facilities, Secretary of State Marco Rubio opened the door to diplomatic engagement, signaling a possible shift from military pressure to negotiation. At the same time, cryptocurrency markets reacted sharply to the heightened geopolitical tension, absorbing roughly $350 million in liquidations and pushing Bitcoin below the $26,000 mark. The dual developments underscore how security events in the Middle East can reverberate through both traditional finance and digital asset spaces.

**Key Developments**
The strike campaign, which began on April 12 and lasted through April 20, struck weapons depots, drone launch sites, and militia training grounds in western Iraq and eastern Syria. U.S. officials said the operations aimed to degrade Iran’s ability to project power via proxy groups. In a press briefing on April 21, Rubio acknowledged the strikes’ effectiveness but added, “We remain open to talks that address the root causes of instability, provided Iran demonstrates a verifiable commitment to de‑escalation.”

Simultaneously, crypto data aggregators reported $348 million in leveraged position liquidations across major exchanges, with long‑biased bets on Bitcoin and Ethereum bearing the brunt. Bitcoin slipped 4.2% to $25,800, its lowest level since early March, while