Newsroom
Short, verified market news summaries; every item names its source and publication date.
Central Bank of Iraq Cuts Travelers Cash Dollar Allowance From $3,000 to $2,000
Iraq's central bank cut the cash foreign currency allowance available to outbound travelers, for tourism, medical, study, and business trips, from 3,000 dollars to 2,000 dollars per trip, in the week ending July 8, 2026, according to Shafaq News. The move is part of a wider central bank reform push to steer travelers toward prepaid and credit cards and curb arbitrage in the parallel currency market. The lower Iraqi travel allowance could affect the Iran-Iraq border currency channel that partly feeds dollar demand in Iran's informal market.
Shafaq News · Jul 10, 2026
Dubai Gold Eases as Higher US Yields Blunt Safe Haven Demand
24-karat gold in Dubai fell to 495.75 dirhams per gram on Friday, July 10, 2026, down from 497.25 dirhams on Thursday, while 22-karat gold slipped to 459 dirhams from 460.50 dirhams, according to Gulf News. Elevated US Treasury yields and a firmer dollar, amid uncertainty over the Federal Reserve's rate path, offset some of the safe haven demand generated by the Iran-US war. Global gold prices nonetheless remained above 4,100 dollars an ounce.
Gulf News · Jul 10, 2026
US Revokes Iran Oil Sanctions Waiver After Tanker Attacks in Strait of Hormuz
The US Treasury Department revoked General License X, the sanctions waiver that had allowed limited Iranian oil sales under the June ceasefire memorandum of understanding, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, replacing it with a narrower General License X1. The move came after US officials said Iran's Revolutionary Guard struck at least three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz that same day, including a Qatari flagged LNG carrier named Al Rekayat and a Saudi flagged supertanker named Wedyan. Washington called Iran's actions in the strait wholly unacceptable. The change could further restrict Iranian oil exports that had briefly been permitted under the temporary waiver.
CNBC · Jul 10, 2026
US Digital Asset Clarity Act Stalls in Senate Over Three Key Disputes
According to Yahoo Finance on July 10, 2026 (19 Tir 1405), the US Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, known as the CLARITY Act, which had earlier advanced out of the Senate Banking Committee in a bipartisan vote, remains on the Senate calendar with no floor vote scheduled and no cloture motion filed, still short of the seven to nine Democratic votes needed to clear the Senate's sixty vote filibuster threshold. The report identifies three interlocking disputes blocking progress: crypto insider trading disclosure and ethics rules, law enforcement concerns that Section 604 of the bill would impair criminal investigations involving cryptocurrency, and questions over whether the bill's stablecoin yield language could let digital asset platforms offer interest equivalent returns. The Senate returns from recess on July 13, 2026 (22 Tir), leaving roughly twenty working days before the chamber breaks for its August recess on August 7.
Yahoo Finance · Jul 10, 2026
Sony Wins Conditional US Approval to Set Up a Dollar Stablecoin Trust Bank
According to CoinDesk on July 9, 2026 (18 Tir 1405), the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) granted conditional approval for Sony Bank to establish a stablecoin trust bank. The new entity, Connectia Trust National Association, will be capitalized with forty million dollars and will be wholly owned by Sony Bank. Sony said the bank is being set up "in preparation for the commercialization of businesses related to the issuance and management of US dollar denominated stablecoins in the United States." The approval is conditional only: Sony still must satisfy the OCC's remaining requirements and obtain Japanese regulatory authorization before it can actually issue or manage stablecoins, with the company targeting 2027 for commercial launch.
CoinDesk · Jul 10, 2026
China Lifts Refined Fuel Export Restrictions for Rest of July
According to a Reuters report published on July 8, 2026 (17 Tir 1405), China lifted restrictions on refined fuel exports, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, for the rest of July. Zhejiang Petrochemical Co, majority owned by Rongsheng Petrochemical, was permitted to resume exports after halting shipments for more than three months; previously only state owned companies had been allowed to export these fuels. Trade sources briefed on the matter said Chinese refiners plan to export roughly three million metric tons of the three fuels in July, including volumes bound for Hong Kong and Macau, in line with last year's average export volume. The move comes as the world's biggest refiner returns toward normal operations following disruptions from the Iran war, though it remains unclear whether the lifted curbs will continue into August.
Business Recorder (Reuters) · Jul 10, 2026
Arbitrum's ARB Token Jumps 19 Percent as Robinhood Chain Revenue Sharing Kicks In
Arbitrum's ARB token surged 19 percent over 24 hours on Thursday, July 9, 2026 (18 Tir 1405), becoming the top-performing asset among the top 100 cryptocurrencies, after the launch of a revenue-sharing model tied to Robinhood Chain. According to CoinDesk, Robinhood Chain, built on Arbitrum's technology stack, logged $568 million in trading volume in a single active day. Under the arrangement, 10 percent of the chain's net protocol revenue flows back to the Arbitrum ecosystem, split between 8 percent to the Arbitrum DAO treasury and 2 percent for development funding. Brendan Ma, head of investment strategies at the Arbitrum Foundation, said the day's activity put Robinhood Chain on an annualized revenue run rate above $12.5 million.
CoinDesk · Jul 10, 2026
India's Sensex Jumps 1.08 Percent to Above 77,000 on Strong TCS Earnings
India's BSE Sensex rose 827.57 points, or 1.08 percent, to 77,569.39 on Friday, July 10, 2026 (19 Tir 1405), while the Nifty 50 climbed 244.10 points, or 1.02 percent, to 24,206.90. According to Business Standard, the gains were driven mainly by strong earnings from IT major TCS and positive global cues, even as US-Iran war tensions continued. The Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 indices outperformed the benchmarks, rising 1.40 percent and 1.55 percent respectively.
Business Standard · Jul 10, 2026
European Stocks Close Slightly Higher Friday as Investors Await Continued US-Iran Talks
The pan-European Stoxx 600 index closed 0.1 percent higher on Friday, July 10, 2026 (19 Tir 1405), while Germany's DAX added 66 points, or 0.26 percent. According to InvestingLive, European equity trading was subdued on the day as investors weighed reports that the United States and Iran could continue peace negotiations despite the recent escalation in fighting between the two countries. Oil prices ticked up alongside the continuing tensions, which kept European stock trading cautious.
InvestingLive · Jul 10, 2026
Drone Hits Chevron-Chartered Tanker Near Novorossiysk; Kazakh CPC Oil Exports Unaffected
The tanker Yasa Polaris, chartered by Chevron to carry shipments for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), was struck by a drone on July 7, 2026 (16 Tir 1405) near the CPC marine terminal off Russia's Black Sea coast, close to the port of Novorossiysk. The vessel, with a capacity of about 160,000 tonnes, was carrying no cargo at the time. Chevron said the crew is safe and no visible hull damage or oil pollution has been reported. The company said the incident has not disrupted Kazakhstan's oil exports. The CPC pipeline carries about 80 percent of Kazakhstan's oil exports and is scheduled to ship around 1.6 million barrels per day of CPC Blend crude in July, down from a planned 1.7 million bpd in June after earlier drone damage to a Russian gas facility forced output cuts.
Baird Maritime · Jul 10, 2026
Global Gold ETFs See $8.9 Billion June Outflow; H1 2026 Flows Stay Positive
According to the World Gold Council, global gold-backed ETFs recorded a net outflow of $8.9 billion in June 2026, though first-half 2026 flows remained positive with a net inflow of $8 billion. North American funds lost $5.5 billion in June, bringing the region's H1 outflow to $7.7 billion, the weakest first half since 2013. European funds saw $818 million in June outflows, trimming their H1 inflow to $3.2 billion. Meanwhile, Chinese investors withdrew a record $2.91 billion from gold ETFs in June. Global gold ETF assets under management fell to $526 billion in June, with holdings down 74 tonnes to 4,047 tonnes. The World Gold Council cited the pullback in gold prices, hawkish remarks from the new Federal Reserve chair, and rising real yields as the main drivers of the outflow.
Yahoo Finance · Jul 10, 2026
Iraq Makes Electronic Customs Document Verification Mandatory From July 10 to Curb Dollar Smuggling
Iraqi Customs made electronic verification of certificates of origin and commercial invoices through the ASYCUDA system mandatory at all border points starting July 10, 2026 (19 Tir 1405). As of that date, paper certificates or invoices that cannot be digitally verified in the system are no longer accepted, and declarations lacking electronic verification are automatically flagged, suspended, and subject to administrative fines. According to Iraqi news outlets, the move follows the discovery of schemes in which traders used falsified invoices for goods such as infant formula to obtain dollars from the Central Bank of Iraq at the official rate, then resold them on the parallel market or smuggled them abroad. The measure is part of the central bank's effort to curb the depletion of foreign currency reserves and rein in money laundering.
Iraqi News · Jul 10, 2026
Suez Canal to Raise Transit Surcharges by Up to 37 Percent From July 15
Suez Canal Authority officials announced that transit surcharges for most vessel classes will rise starting July 15, 2026 (24 Tir 1405). For the first time, container ships will face a 12 percent surcharge, while the existing tiered rate structure for containers otherwise remains unchanged. Laden crude oil tankers see the steepest increase, paying up to 37 percent above the base transit fee. Gas carriers and bulk carriers are also subject to higher charges. The authority said the adjustment reflects its assessment of maritime market conditions and may be revised or cancelled depending on future developments. The fee increase comes as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted, adding to global energy and freight cost pressures.
Splash247 · Jul 10, 2026
US Stocks Close Slightly Higher to End the Week, Fourth Winning Week in Five
US stocks closed the week of Friday, July 10, 2026 (19 Tir 1405) with modest gains after a volatile week. According to the Associated Press, the S&P 500 rose 0.1%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained about 140 points, and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.1%, giving the S&P 500 its fourth winning week in the last five. Oil prices also held relatively steady on Friday, with Brent crude up 0.2%, even after unclaimed airstrikes hit Iran following Washington's earlier announcement that it had concluded its military strikes. The wire service reported that markets found relative calm after a volatile week driven by concerns over how the Iran-US war would affect the global flow of crude.
The Associated Press (via The Baltimore Sun) · Jul 10, 2026
IEA: Global Oil Demand Set for First Annual Drop Since Covid Pandemic in 2026
The International Energy Agency (IEA), in its monthly Oil Market Report published Friday, July 10, 2026 (19 Tir 1405), said global oil demand is set to fall by about one million barrels per day (mb/d) in 2026, the first annual demand decline since 2020, the pandemic year. According to the report, the demand contraction reached 4.8 mb/d in the second quarter of 2026 and eases to 1.7 mb/d in the third quarter, before demand rises by 1.2 mb/d in the fourth quarter of 2026. Global demand bottomed at 97.9 mb/d in May 2026, down 5.3 mb/d year on year, and the IEA expects demand to recover by more than 8 mb/d from that low by October 2026. For 2027, the agency projects demand growth of 2 mb/d. The IEA attributed most of the contraction to disruption in Asia's import-dependent economies and to petrochemical feedstock supply chains (naphtha and LPG) that run through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that has faced serious shipping disruption in recent weeks amid renewed fighting between Iran and the United States.
CNBC · Jul 10, 2026
Tel Aviv Stocks and the Shekel Weaken as Iran-US Fighting Resumes
Tel Aviv's TA-35 and TA-125 indices swung from early gains to losses of about 1 percent in Wednesday, July 8, 2026 (17 Tir 1405) trading, as fighting between the United States and Iran resumed and the ceasefire collapsed. The Tel Aviv insurance index fell 3 percent the same day, with Menora Mivtachim down 4.2 percent, Harel down 4.1 percent, Clal down 2.8 percent, Phoenix down 2.5 percent and Migdal down 1.5 percent. The TA Cleantech index, which had fallen 4 percent on Tuesday, July 7, dropped a further 2 percent on Wednesday. The Israeli shekel also weakened against the dollar, with the dollar trading above 3.05 shekels and the euro at 3.49 shekels. Israeli media reported that investors were pricing in a higher risk of a renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz alongside rising oil prices.
The Times of Israel · Jul 10, 2026
India's Foreign Ministry Voices Concern Over US Strike on Chabahar Port as Nine Indian Ships Are Stranded in Hormuz
India's Ministry of External Affairs voiced concern over escalating tensions in West Asia and disruption to international shipping following the US strike on infrastructure at Iran's Chabahar port in the country's southeast on Thursday, July 9, 2026 (18 Tir 1405). A ministry spokesperson said New Delhi is deeply concerned over the recent attacks and escalation of tensions in the region, which followed the targeting of commercial vessels transiting international waterways. According to Indian media reports, roughly nine India linked ships carrying about 198 seafarers have been stranded amid the disruption to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Chabahar, Iran's only deep water port with direct access to the Indian Ocean, includes a terminal built and operated with Indian investment.
Outlook India · Jul 10, 2026
Emami Gold Coin Slips to 180 Million Tomans as the Week Closes
The Emami gold coin fell to 180 million tomans in Tehran's free market on Friday, July 10, 2026 (19 Tir), retreating after nearing a 182 million toman peak the previous day, Thursday 18 Tir. According to EcoIran, 18 karat gold (750) traded at 17,867,000 tomans per gram and 24 karat gold at 23,821,000 tomans on the same day. The Bahar Azadi coin changed hands at 176,500,000 tomans, and the Emami coin's bubble premium eased to 5,101,000 tomans. Taadol newspaper separately reported the same 180 million toman price for the Emami coin that day.
روزنامه تعادل · Jul 10, 2026
Pakistan's KSE-100 Steadies After Iran War Selloff, Edges Down Thursday
Pakistan's KSE-100 index plunged about 4,626 points, or 2.48 percent, to 181,629 on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 (17 Tir 1405), after President Trump declared the US Iran ceasefire over, Business Recorder reported. The index fell a further roughly 369 points on Thursday, July 9 (18 Tir), closing at 181,260, though it recouped part of its earlier losses during the session. The Pakistani rupee saw limited movement, trading around 278.07 per dollar in the interbank market. The declines were broad based, hitting bank, petrochemical, auto and energy stocks hardest.
Business Recorder · Jul 10, 2026
China's Crude Oil Imports From Iran More Than Halved in June
China's crude oil imports from Iran more than halved in June, falling to about 654,000 barrels a day from the prior month, CNBC reported on July 6, 2026 (15 Tir 1405). China, normally Iran's largest oil customer and the destination for around 90 percent of its crude exports, has cut purchases since the war with Iran resumed in late February. Overall Chinese crude imports also fell 29 percent year on year in May to 7.82 million barrels a day, the lowest level since February 2018. The US Treasury had earlier sanctioned an independent Chinese teapot refinery for buying Iranian oil.
CNBC · Jul 10, 2026
Tether Price in Iran's Market Rises 1.75% Toward 180,000 Tomans
Tether (USDT) rose 1.75 percent over the past 24 hours to about 179,600 tomans on Iran's crypto market on Friday, July 10, 2026 (19 Tir 1405), according to ArzDigital. The figure was close to rates quoted by other domestic exchanges including Nobitex and Wallex, which priced Tether between 179,000 and 179,600 tomans. With a global market capitalization of about $184.17 billion, Tether is the world's third largest cryptocurrency by market value and the most heavily traded token on Iranian exchanges. The rise in Tether's toman price tracked the broader firming trend in Iran's free currency market.
ارزدیجیتال · Jul 10, 2026
Brent Crude Nears $76 on Hormuz Supply Fears, Up About 6% for the Week
Brent crude rose to $76.34 a barrel on Friday, July 10, 2026 (19 Tir 1405), up roughly 6 percent for the week, while WTI traded at $72.15, up about 5 percent weekly, Reuters reported via Yahoo Finance. Renewed fighting between the United States and Iran in recent days has curtailed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20 percent of the world's daily oil and gas supply, delaying the strait's full reopening. The report noted that technical talks between the two sides are continuing.
Reuters (via Yahoo Finance) · Jul 10, 2026
World Gold Rebounds Above $4,140 an Ounce on Renewed Safe Haven Demand
World gold jumped 1.48 percent, or $60.25, to $4,143.59 an ounce on Friday, July 10, 2026 (19 Tir 1405), according to Yahoo Finance. Gold had spent most of the week declining as renewed US Iran military conflict rattled markets, but safe haven demand returned as investors weighed the war's impact on inflation and future Federal Reserve decisions. Oil prices have risen roughly 7.1 percent over the past five days, adding to inflation concerns. Iranian financial outlets including Taadol newspaper and EcoIran also reported the world gold ounce near $4,120 on the same day.
Yahoo Finance · Jul 10, 2026
Economy Minister Says Justice Shares Liberalization to Begin Operationally This Summer
Iran's Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh announced that the liberalization of Justice Shares (سهام عدالت), frozen for nearly a decade, will begin operationally this summer of 1405 (2026). According to Tejaratnews (July 2026), the process is contingent on holding general assemblies for roughly 30 provincial Justice investment companies; Iran's Supreme Council of the Stock Exchange had earlier approved the implementation mechanism. No specific date has yet been set for cash dividends to the roughly 50 million Justice Shares holders; the last dividend, for the fiscal year ending March 19, 2025, was paid in Khordad 1405 (May-June 2026). Government officials have made similar liberalization promises before that were not fulfilled.
تجارتنیوز · Jul 10, 2026
Tehran's Car Market Reverses Course After Three Days of Price Gains
Car prices in Tehran, which had spiked sharply on July 5, 2026 (including a one-day 195-million-toman jump for the Tara Automatic V4 to 2.72 billion tomans), reversed into a decline starting July 8. According to Eghtesad Online (July 8, 2026), the MVM X55 Pro fell 30 million tomans to 3.75 billion, and the Arrizo 5 fell 30 million tomans to 3.45 billion; the manual Tara V1 dropped 54 million tomans to 2.075 billion. Fararu and Ecoiran attributed the reversal to a simultaneous pullback in dollar and gold prices. By July 9, the market's cheapest models, including the Quick GXL and Saina S, held steady at 1.21 billion tomans.
اقتصادآنلاین · Jul 10, 2026
Indian Rupee Comes Under Renewed Pressure as Iran-US Tensions Reignite Oil Rally
The US dollar rose to 95.51 Indian rupees on Thursday, July 9, 2026, the rupee's weakest level since June 11. According to a Bloomberg newsletter (July 9, 2026), the decline followed a period of relative rupee strength and coincided with oil prices jumping again as tensions between Iran and the United States reignited. Bloomberg noted that Reserve Bank of India intervention has been described as less effective than during 2013, and that India is seeking direct talks with Iran to secure safe passage for roughly nine tankers stranded in the Persian Gulf.
Bloomberg · Jul 10, 2026
Iraq and Turkey Near Deal to Extend Kirkuk-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline Exports
Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar visited Baghdad on Thursday, July 9, 2026, to finalize a roughly 12-month extension of crude exports through the 970-kilometer Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline; the current agreement expires on July 16. According to The National (July 9, 2026), citing Reuters, the deal is expected to be signed "in the coming days." Iraqi oil output has fallen from 4.3 million barrels a day to 1.4 million (as of May), and flows through the Ceyhan terminal have dropped from a pre-war 3.5 million barrels a day to about 200,000. With most of Iraq's southern exports through the Strait of Hormuz shut off, Ceyhan has become one of Iraq's few working export routes.
The National · Jul 10, 2026
Qatar and Kuwait Bourses Slide as Iranian Strikes Hit US-Linked Gulf Sites
Persian Gulf stock markets slid after Iran fired missiles and drones at US-linked sites in Kuwait and Bahrain and put Qatar on high alert on Thursday, July 9, 2026. According to Reuters, via Business Recorder (July 10, 2026), Qatar's stock index fell 0.8% and Qatar National Bank shares dropped 1%, while Kuwait's Boursa Kuwait also declined. The selloff coincided with Brent crude jumping to $77.30 a barrel. This marks the first time the equity-market reaction has been specifically documented spreading to the Qatari and Kuwaiti bourses, beyond the Dubai and Abu Dhabi declines reported earlier.
Business Recorder (Reuters) · Jul 10, 2026
EU Races to Avert Automatic Jump in Russian Oil Price Cap by July 15
EU ambassadors met on Friday, July 10, 2026, to try to prevent an automatic six-monthly revision of the G7/EU price cap on Russian seaborne oil. The current cap, confirmed by the European Commission, stands at $44.10 a barrel, but the recent spike in global oil prices following the Strait of Hormuz crisis threatens to push the automatic revision formula to a far higher level. According to Euronews (July 10, 2026), Brussels wants to freeze the cap at $44.10 through January 2027, but Bulgaria has blocked the package over an unrelated sanctions-list dispute. The deadline to avoid the automatic revision is July 15.
Euronews · Jul 10, 2026
Saudi Aramco Cuts Official Asia Oil Price in Biggest Reduction in Decades
Saudi Aramco cut its official selling price (OSP) for Arab Light crude to Asia by $11 a barrel for August loadings, moving it to a $1.50 discount versus the Oman/Dubai average, down from a $9.50 premium the prior month. According to Bloomberg (July 6, 2026), it is Aramco's largest official price cut since 2003 and the first time Arab Light has sold at a discount since the 2020 oil price war. Outlets cited weakening Chinese demand and a global supply surplus as the main drivers, even as geopolitical risk from the Strait of Hormuz crisis keeps global oil prices elevated. The move challenges the "war premium" narrative that has recently dominated oil markets, showing supply and demand fundamentals are also at work.
Bloomberg · Jul 10, 2026
CRU Group: Iran's vehicle output set for a sharp decline this year
UK based research firm CRU Group said in a report that it has cut its forecast for Iran's 2026 passenger vehicle production by around 390,000 units, close to a 30 percent year on year decline. Guillaume Osouf, principal analyst at CRU Group, said a prolonged regional conflict would likely change the auto market outlook drastically for the rest of the year. The report said Iran's two largest automakers, Iran Khodro and SAIPA, have halted production at times in recent months due to disruption in supply chains for steel, aluminum and petrochemical inputs, a trend also confirmed by Iranian business media including Financial Tribune, which reported sharp production drops at both companies in recent months. The slowdown affects an industry that CRU Group says directly employs more than 110,000 people.
CRU Group · Jul 10, 2026
Bitcoin jumps 3.5 percent to near 64,000 dollars
Bitcoin rose about 3.5 percent on Friday, July 10 (19 Tir), climbing to near 64,000 dollars and erasing part of the recent losses triggered by President Donald Trump's warnings on Iran. According to CoinDesk, the rally was driven more by a surge in Asian semiconductor and AI related stocks, a stronger Japanese yen and a weaker US dollar than by crypto specific news; Bitcoin ended the week up 4.2 percent. Total crypto market capitalization also rose from about 2.21 trillion to roughly 2.25 trillion dollars over the same period.
CoinDesk · Jul 10, 2026
US strikes Chabahar port; maritime control tower destroyed, two piers damaged
US forces struck Iran's strategic Chabahar port in the southeast on July 8 and 9, 2026 (17 and 18 Tir), the first American military action there since the recent ceasefire took hold. Mohammad Saeed Arbabi, head of the Chabahar Free Zone Organization, told Iran's Fars News Agency that the port's maritime traffic control tower was completely destroyed and two piers, Shahid Beheshti and Kalantari, were damaged. The strikes knocked out power to roughly half of Chabahar city, damaging three transmission lines, two of which have since been restored. Chabahar is Iran's only deep water oceanic port and its main gateway to the Indian Ocean; India has invested in its development, including the Chabahar to Zahedan rail line. It marks the first US strike on the port since the ceasefire.
Gulf News · Jul 10, 2026
Armenian PM: TRIPP Corridor Will Expand Trade With Iran, Responds to Tehran's Concern Over US Presence
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Thursday, July 9, that implementation of the US brokered TRIPP corridor (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity) will significantly expand trade and economic ties between Armenia and Iran and help establish a rail link between the Persian Gulf and the Black Sea. His remarks came a day after Iran's ambassador to Yerevan voiced concern about a potential US presence near Iran's borders under the project. The Armenian government has assured Tehran that the project's implementation will not create any threat or challenge for Iran stemming from a US presence. TRIPP is a transit corridor through southern Armenia, brokered by the United States as part of the broader Armenia Azerbaijan peace process.
Public Radio of Armenia · Jul 10, 2026
US Bitcoin ETFs Snap 10-Day Outflow Streak With $221.7 Million Inflow
US spot Bitcoin ETFs pulled in $221.7 million in net inflows on Thursday, July 9, snapping a 10 day outflow streak that had drained more than $2.7 billion from the funds. Fidelity's FBTC led with $166 million, followed by ARK 21Shares' ARKB with $91.8 million, while BlackRock's IBIT remained on an 11 session outflow streak. The inflow came as bitcoin's price climbed back above $61,000, following one of the funds' weakest stretches this year, with June alone seeing more than $4.5 billion in net outflows. Reports attributed the turnaround to a weak US jobs report and a softer tone from the Federal Reserve, which eased pressure on risk assets.
BeInCrypto · Jul 10, 2026
US Spot Ethereum ETFs Draw $70.5 Million in Fifth Straight Day of Inflows
US spot Ethereum ETFs recorded a net inflow of $70.5 million on Wednesday, July 8 (17 Tir), marking a fifth consecutive session of positive flows. Fidelity's FETH fund led with $69.2 million in inflows, while VanEck's ETHV added another $1.3 million. The gains came even as US spot Bitcoin ETFs saw outflows the same day, a divergence analysts say points to gradually returning institutional demand for Ethereum despite the geopolitical tensions from the Iran-US war and this week's muted moves in digital-asset prices.
Bitcoin.com News · Jul 10, 2026
Russian Urals Oil Discount to India Widens Past $10 a Barrel
According to a Reuters report published July 7 (17 Tir), the discount on Russian Urals crude against dated Brent in Indian ports has widened to more than $10 a barrel, near its widest recent level. Sources say Urals cargoes for August delivery to India have traded at discounts of $10 a barrel or more. The grade had traded at a premium to Brent in India and China from March through June amid supply disruptions from the Middle East war, but that support has faded as Iranian and other Middle Eastern producers resumed exports, giving Asian refiners a wider range of supply options. Weaker refining demand and competition from cheaper Middle Eastern crude were also cited as reasons for the wider discount.
Reuters (via Yahoo Finance) · Jul 10, 2026
Iran's Foreign Minister Stresses Continued Diplomacy in Calls With Oman, Turkey and Pakistan
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held separate phone calls on Thursday, July 9 (18 Tir), with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, reviewing the latest regional developments, including tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, and stressing the need to keep using diplomatic channels and coordination among regional states to prevent further escalation. In a separate call, Araghchi told Pakistan's army chief, General Asim Munir, that the renewed US strikes on Iran were a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and the Iran-US peace memorandum (the Islamabad Memorandum), warning against further military adventurism. The calls came a day after US President Donald Trump declared at a NATO summit in Ankara that the ceasefire with Iran was "over." Both sides reaffirmed support for continued dialogue and the mediation efforts of Pakistan and Oman.
APA (Azerbaijan Press Agency) · Jul 10, 2026
China's central bank sets yuan reference rate below 6.8 per dollar for first time since 2023
China's central bank, the PBOC, set its daily yuan reference rate at 6.7989 per US dollar on Friday, July 10, 2026 (19 Tir 1405), the first time the fixing has fallen below the 6.8 threshold since 2023. According to Bloomberg, the move signals the central bank's comfort with the yuan's strengthening trend. Following the decision, the offshore yuan rose as much as 0.3% to 6.7785 per dollar, its biggest daily jump in nearly a month. The move comes even as the US dollar is simultaneously drawing safe-haven demand from the renewed escalation in US-Iran tensions.
Bloomberg · Jul 10, 2026
US 10-year Treasury yield eases to 4.54% on safe-haven demand
The yield on the US 10-year Treasury note eased to around 4.54% on Friday, July 10 (19 Tir), down 0.02 percentage points from the prior session, marking a second consecutive day of declines. According to Trading Economics, lower global oil prices have eased inflation concerns somewhat and reduced pressure for more aggressive Federal Reserve tightening. The move comes alongside reports that the United States and Iran will continue peace negotiations despite the recent escalation in hostilities, a pattern consistent with the typical safe-haven behavior seen in Treasury markets during periods of geopolitical uncertainty.
Trading Economics · Jul 10, 2026
Yen nears four-decade low as dollar gains from renewed Iran strikes
The Japanese yen remained near a four-decade low against the US dollar on Friday, July 10 (19 Tir), with the dollar trading around 162.36 yen, on track for a weekly gain of more than 0.5% against the Japanese currency. According to Business Recorder and Trading Economics, the US dollar benefited from safe-haven demand after fresh US air strikes on Iran in response to attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while the yen failed to draw similar support despite the escalating geopolitical tensions. The Bank of Japan held its short-term policy rate at 0.75% at its June 15 to 16, 2026 meeting, and traders remain wary of possible direct government intervention to shore up the yen.
Business Recorder · Jul 10, 2026
Silver and platinum climb alongside gold on Hormuz-driven safe-haven demand
Global silver prices rose 0.62% to $60.32 an ounce on Friday, July 10 (19 Tir). Platinum also gained 0.75%, or $12, trading between $1,621 and $1,631 an ounce. According to Kitco News and Trading Economics, the simultaneous rise in precious metals mirrored gold's return above $4,100 an ounce and reflected renewed safe-haven demand as US-Iran military tensions flared again and shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed. Silver was nonetheless still on track for a weekly loss, as investors continued to monitor Middle East developments and their impact on inflation and Federal Reserve policy.
Trading Economics · Jul 10, 2026
Iran's interbank rate eases to 23.83% in the week to July 8
According to Central Bank of Iran data, the average interbank interest rate eased to 23.83% in the week ending Wednesday, July 8, 2026 (17 Tir 1405), down slightly from 23.86% the previous week. According to Taadol newspaper, the marginal decline came even as the central bank kept its open-market acceptance rate below 20% for a second straight week and held accepted bids under 700 trillion tomans. Analysts read the trend as a continuation of the central bank's tight monetary policy to control liquidity, rather than a sign that bank funding shortages have eased.
روزنامه تعادل · Jul 10, 2026
US stocks rise despite Iran tensions as Wall Street's fear gauge stays low
US stocks rose on Thursday, July 9 (18 Tir), even as US-Iran hostilities escalated. The S&P 500 closed up 0.8%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.3%, the same day CENTCOM reported striking about 90 military targets in Iran. According to Yahoo Finance and TheStreet, US investors focused more on artificial-intelligence prospects than on the Middle East flare-up. The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), Wall Street's fear gauge, traded around 16.8 on Friday, July 10 (19 Tir), near the low end of its 52-week range of 13.4 to 35.3.
Yahoo Finance · Jul 10, 2026
CENTCOM says US forces struck about 90 Iranian military targets along the coast
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Wednesday, July 8 (17 Tir), that its forces had completed a fresh round of strikes against Iran, hitting approximately 90 military targets along the country's coastline. According to the statement, the targets included air defense systems, coastal surveillance assets, missile and drone storage sites, naval capabilities, and military logistics infrastructure. CENTCOM said the operation aimed to degrade Iran's ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners in the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes followed an initial wave on the night of Tuesday, July 7 (16 Tir), that hit about 80 targets, including more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fast-attack boats.
CNBC · Jul 10, 2026
European Gas Prices Hit One-Month High on Strait of Hormuz Supply Fears
European natural gas prices, tracked by the Dutch TTF benchmark, climbed to about 50 euros per megawatt hour on Thursday, July 9, 2026, after a 5.1 percent rise in the prior session, the highest level in a month. Markets cited concerns over potential disruption to Persian Gulf LNG supplies as Iran-US military tensions escalated again around the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz carries about a fifth of global oil and LNG trade, and analysts have warned a prolonged disruption could complicate Europe's efforts to rebuild gas storage ahead of winter demand. Goldman Sachs kept its base-case second-half 2026 TTF forecast at 41 euros per megawatt hour, but flagged a risk scenario in which a full Hormuz disruption could push prices above 100 euros per megawatt hour.
Investing.com · Jul 10, 2026
Turkish Lira Deposits Hit 11-Year High as De-Dollarization Advances
Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek said the share of Turkish lira deposits in the country's total bank deposits reached about 62 percent in the week ending July 3, 2026, the highest level in 11 years. That compares with roughly 31.6 percent in August 2023, before Turkey's economic stabilization program began, marking substantial progress in de-dollarization. Şimşek said, "We will continue our policies to reinforce confidence in the Turkish lira, strengthen macro-financial stability and achieve price stability, which is the prerequisite for sustainable high growth." He added that the balance of foreign-currency-protected deposits under the KKM scheme has fallen from 3.4 trillion lira in August 2023 to about 478 billion lira (roughly 11.75 billion dollars). The progress comes as the Turkish lira has weakened about 8 percent against the dollar since the start of 2026.
Daily Sabah · Jul 10, 2026
Dollar Holds Steady at 182,000 Tomans in Iran's Free Market on Friday
The US dollar held steady in Iran's free market on Friday, July 10, 2026, unchanged from the previous day at 182,050 tomans (1,820,500 rials). The rate had jumped 1.08 percent, or 1,950 tomans, on Thursday, July 9. The dollar is up 3.64 percent from a week earlier and more than 25 percent over the past six months. The rate held flat on Friday, while the Tehran Stock Exchange was closed for the weekend, as escalating Iran-US military tensions since July 7 have kept demand for dollars and safe-haven assets elevated in the domestic market.
Bonbast · Jul 10, 2026
Next Round of Indirect Iran-US Talks Expected in Islamabad on July 11
Qatari and Pakistani mediators said the next round of indirect Iran-US talks is expected to take place on Saturday, July 11, 2026, in Islamabad, Pakistan. The meeting is scheduled after funeral and burial ceremonies for Ayatollah Khamenei at the Imam Reza shrine concluded on Friday, July 10. The previous round of talks was held last week in Doha, Qatar, under the same Qatari and Pakistani mediation, making what sources described as positive progress on issues related to the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, though the two sides did not reach a final agreement on the Strait of Hormuz or Iran's frozen assets. The talks come as military tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated again since July 7, after President Donald Trump declared the ceasefire over. Because the outcome directly affects Strait of Hormuz risk and Iran's currency and gold markets, the meeting carries economic weight beyond diplomacy.
Al-Monitor · Jul 10, 2026
Strait of Hormuz Shipping Grinds to Near Halt as Just 13 Tankers Cross Versus 33 Daily Average
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical oil transit routes, ground to a near halt after the US and Iran traded strikes for a second straight day on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. According to ship-tracking data cited in news reports, only 13 tankers crossed the strait on Wednesday, compared with an average of 33 per day over the previous week. Reports say the US-backed Omani corridor, set up for safer tanker passage, was effectively empty of observable traffic on Thursday, July 9. Qatar separately said it had paused efforts to revive production at the world's largest liquefied natural gas facility due to concerns over the risks of transiting the strait. Reports indicate shipowners are increasingly using alternate routes and switching off tracking systems to reduce risk. The developments have coincided with a rising risk premium in global oil and gold markets.
Insurance Journal · Jul 10, 2026
Khamenei Laid to Rest at Imam Reza Shrine; Successor Son Mojtaba Absent From Burial
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's second supreme leader, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, was buried in the early hours of Friday, July 10, 2026, at the Imam Reza shrine in Mashhad. His state funeral, which began July 3 with processions through Tehran, Qom, and the Iraqi cities of Najaf and Karbala, concluded after six days, with international media reporting millions of attendees across the ceremonies. According to media reports, his son and successor Mojtaba Khamenei, chosen by the Assembly of Experts as Iran's third supreme leader on March 9, 2026, was absent from his father's burial. Reports indicate Mojtaba was himself injured in the same strike that killed his father. His absence from the ceremony has added to uncertainty over the stability of Iran's leadership amid renewed military escalation with the United States.
Al Jazeera · Jul 10, 2026
Second phase of July Kalabarg food-subsidy card activates July 11; credit unchanged at 1 million tomans
Iran's Subsidy Targeting Organization announced that the second phase of the July 1405 (2026) electronic food-subsidy card (Kalabarg) activates on Saturday, July 11, for household heads whose national ID numbers end in 3, 4, 5, or 6. The first phase began on July 6 for ID numbers ending in 0, 1, and 2, and the third phase is set for July 16, covering IDs ending in 7, 8, and 9. The credit remains unchanged at 1,000,000 tomans per person. Despite earlier speculation that higher-income deciles would be dropped, the government confirmed no eligibility decile was removed from the July round. Kalabarg is separate from the monthly cash subsidy and is redeemable for eligible food items at participating stores.
اکوایران · Jul 10, 2026
Iran Announces July Cash Subsidy Payment Dates; Child Subsidy Tripled for Low-Income Families
Per Eghtesad Online (July 10, 2026), cash subsidies for Iran's bottom three income deciles will be paid on July 16 (25 Tir) at 400,000 tomans per person, while deciles four through nine will receive 300,000 tomans per person on July 22 (31 Tir). Separately, the Targeted Subsidies Organization said a decision to triple the child cash subsidy for families with three or more children in the bottom four income deciles has taken effect, starting with the first decile and expanding to further deciles in coming months. The moves come as Iran's Statistics Center has reported 88.6% year on year inflation, squeezing household purchasing power.
اقتصادآنلاین · Jul 10, 2026
Central Bank Official: Iran's FX Reserves Grew $4.5 Billion During the War
Per Ecoiran and Eghtesad Online (July 8-9, 2026), a senior currency policy official at Iran's Central Bank said new foreign exchange management measures cut daily FX market demand from about $600 million to under $200 million, allowing the country's FX reserves to grow by $4.5 billion during the war rather than deplete. Priority FX access continues to go to essential goods, medicine and medical equipment, and the Central Bank reiterated it will not return to a multi tier "preferential" exchange rate. Separately, the Central Bank has held its open market repo acceptance rate below 20% for a second consecutive week.
اکوایران · Jul 10, 2026
Tehran Stock Exchange Index Falls 24,740 Points on Wednesday, Reversing Tuesday's Rally
The Tehran Stock Exchange's main index (TEDPIX) opened Wednesday, July 8, 2026 (17 Tir 1405) up about 6,000 points at 5,317,000, a day after Tuesday's 2.4% rally, but reversed sharply in the final 40 minutes of trading as sellers dominated, closing down 24,740 points (0.47%) at 5,286,784, according to Entekhab. The equally weighted index also fell 5,420 points (0.39%) to 1,384,257. Turnover exceeded 48,540 billion tomans across 1.339 million trades. The reversal, following two days of gains, is attributed to profit taking alongside renewed concern over escalating military strikes and oil sanction risk.
سایت انتخاب · Jul 10, 2026
Kazakhstan and Iran Sign 27-Year Deal to Build Logistics Terminal at Shahid Rajaee Port
Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization and Kazakhstan signed a 27-year Build-Operate-Transfer agreement (2 years construction, 25 years operation) on July 7, 1405 (June 28, 2026) to build a dedicated Kazakh logistics terminal at Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, per The Astana Times. Iran is allocating a 15-hectare plot, with the terminal's projected capacity at 1.5 million tons of cargo per year. Kazakh officials say the $25 million investment uses no state funds, and the project aims to plug Kazakhstan into the International North-South Transport Corridor. Current Iran-Kazakhstan bilateral trade is estimated at around $400 million, which Kazakh officials say the project could double or triple.
The Astana Times · Jul 10, 2026
Borsa Istanbul's BIST 100 Sinks 2.12% After Trump Declares Iran Ceasefire Over
Borsa Istanbul's BIST 100 index closed down 307.41 points (2.12%) at 14,189.96 on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, after falling as low as 14,179.01 intraday, according to Anadolu Agency. The drop came immediately after President Trump told the NATO summit in Ankara that the US-Iran ceasefire was "over" and that the US would strike Iran again that night. Banking and transportation shares led sector losses on the Turkish exchange. The move illustrates how the Iran-US war is spilling directly into Turkish equities, a major trade and transit partner for Iran.
Anadolu Agency · Jul 10, 2026
Turkish Lira Hits Fresh Record Low as June Inflation Eases Only Slightly to Above 32%
The Turkish lira hit a fresh record low against the dollar on Thursday, July 9, 2026, trading near 46.86 per dollar, per Trading Economics. Turkey's statistics office had reported on July 3 that annual June inflation eased slightly to 32.11%, down from 32.61% in May and the lowest since March. However, energy and food shocks from the intensifying Iran-US conflict have slowed the disinflation trend. Turkey's central bank (TCMB) has held its policy rate at 37% for a third consecutive meeting. For Iranian investors and traders with commercial ties to Turkey, the lira's continued slide can directly affect the cost of imports from the country.
Trading Economics · Jul 10, 2026
Bitcoin Holds Near $62,000, Showing Muted Reaction to Renewed Iran-US Strikes
Per CoinDesk (July 9, 2026), Bitcoin traded above $62,000 on Thursday, July 9, settling at $62,009, down 1.2% over 24 hours but up 1.6% for the week, even as oil rose, gold fell and Treasury yields climbed. The relatively muted reaction came even as Iran widened strikes on US bases across the Persian Gulf, in contrast to gold's sharper multi day slide, which CoinDesk analysts say reflects Bitcoin's growing correlation with bond yields rather than traditional safe haven assets.
CoinDesk · Jul 10, 2026
Fed September Rate-Hike Odds Jump to 68.8% as Iran War Reignites Inflation Fears
Per Forbes (July 8, 2026), after US strikes on Iran resumed and Trump declared the ceasefire "over," the market implied probability of a Fed rate hike at the September 15-16 meeting, per CME Group's FedWatch tool, jumped from 62% on Tuesday, July 7, to 68.8% on Wednesday, July 8. The odds of a hike by the December meeting reached 85.3%. The jump came after Trump told the NATO summit in Ankara he believed the ceasefire with Iran was over and that the US would likely strike again that night. Analysts attribute the rise in rate hike odds to inflation concerns from surging oil prices, which could strengthen the dollar and pressure emerging markets, including Iran's.
Forbes · Jul 10, 2026
Iran's Health Ministry: At Least 14 Killed, 78 Wounded in Two Days of US Strikes on Five Provinces
Iran's Health Ministry said Thursday, July 9, 2026, that two days of US airstrikes on July 8-9 targeting five Iranian provinces had killed at least 14 people and wounded 78, with 47 of the wounded still hospitalized. US Central Command said the strikes were meant to degrade Iran's ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. It is the first comprehensive official casualty count from the Health Ministry since strikes resumed following the ceasefire's collapse, though other Iranian state bodies have cited slightly different figures.
Associated Press (via San Mateo Daily Journal) · Jul 10, 2026
Trump Renews Threat to Seize Kharg Island, Says US Already Struck Part of It
President Trump on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, again threatened that the US could "take" Kharg Island, the terminal handling roughly 90% of Iran's crude oil exports. Per NBC News, Trump told reporters: "We attacked Kharg Island last night. We knocked out a piece. I said, don't touch the oil, because maybe we'll take over Kharg Island, and we may take over Kharg Island, and there's not a thing they can do about it." The threat, first floated in a Truth Social post in June 2026, is now being repeated alongside actual strikes. Analysts warn any disruption at Kharg would have an outsized direct effect on global oil supply and Iran's export revenue.
NBC News · Jul 10, 2026
White House Says Technical Talks With Iran Continue Despite Trump Declaring Ceasefire Over
A US official told CNBC on Friday, July 10, 2026, that Washington will continue "technical talks" with Iran and remains committed to a diplomatic solution, despite days of exchanged strikes between the two countries. The comment came a day after President Trump, asked about the ceasefire's status at the NATO summit in Ankara, said "I think it's over" and described Iran's attacks on commercial vessels as "acts of terrorism." The official said Trump's position was clear, but that technical discussions between the two sides are ongoing. The 60 day ceasefire had been signed on June 17, 2026.
CNBC · Jul 10, 2026
Iran Strikes US-Linked Bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan as Ceasefire Nears Total Collapse
Iran's military and Revolutionary Guards widened their retaliation on Thursday, July 9, 2026, hours after a second round of US strikes hit roughly 90 military targets across Iran, extending attacks beyond Bahrain and Kuwait to also strike US linked sites in Qatar and Jordan. According to The National, Iranian forces used drones and missiles to target a Patriot air defense battery in Kuwait, a satellite and early warning site in Qatar, and fuel depots used by US forces in Bahrain. Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain and Kuwait. Kuwait's Defence Ministry said it intercepted three ballistic missiles, one cruise missile and 10 drones. Iran's Foreign Ministry called the renewed US strikes a "gross violation" of the 60 day ceasefire signed on June 17, 2026. The widening front raises fresh risk for regional Gulf markets beyond Iran's borders.
The National · Jul 10, 2026
Saudi Arabia's TASI Index Fell 0.23% as US-Iran Tensions Flared Again
Saudi Arabia's Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) fell 0.23 percent during trading on Sunday, July 5, 2026, as investors weighed a fresh round of attacks between the US and Iran and the durability of the interim peace deal. According to Finimize, the decline came after Iran's Revolutionary Guard struck US military targets in Bahrain and Kuwait and Trump warned of possible military action, with both sides accusing each other of violating the interim agreement. TASI has nonetheless remained up nearly 2.9 percent year-to-date in 2026.
Finimize · Jul 10, 2026
Iran's 25-Year Gas Export Contract With Turkey Expires This Month as Renewal Talks Have Not Begun
Iran's 25-year gas export contract with Turkey, which carries up to 9.6 billion cubic meters annually via pipeline, is set to expire this month (July 2026). According to a Forbes report published June 29, 2026, Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar confirmed that formal negotiations on an extension have not yet begun, though he said "according to our forecast, we might need this gas pipeline or the gas flow from Iran for the security of supply of Turkey." The report noted that since UN sanctions snapped back in September 2025, Turkish banks have grown more cautious about payments to the National Iranian Gas Company, since the US oil sanctions waiver does not cover natural gas.
Forbes · Jul 10, 2026
Iran's Year-on-Year Inflation Hits 88.6% by Statistics Center's Count, Diverging From Central Bank Figure
Iran's Statistical Center (SCI), in a report published on June 27, 2026, put the year-on-year inflation rate for the Iranian month ending in mid-June at 88.6 percent and the 12-month average inflation rate at 62 percent, up 4.3 percentage points from the prior month. The same report showed year-on-year inflation in rural areas topping 108 percent, with bread and grain prices up 138.8 percent, dairy and eggs up 151.9 percent, and red meat and poultry up 178.2 percent. Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) reported year-on-year inflation of 83.1 percent and average annual inflation of 57.7 percent for the same period, highlighting a methodological gap between the country's two official statistical bodies.
Business Recorder · Jul 10, 2026
Dubai and Abu Dhabi Stock Markets Have Shed More Than $120 Billion Since the Iran War Began
According to a report published in Persian Gulf business media including Zawya on Thursday, July 9, 2026, Dubai's DFM General Index has lost about $45 billion in market capitalization and Abu Dhabi's ADX General Index about $75 billion since the Iran-Israel war began in late March 2026, a combined toll of more than $120 billion previously also reported by Al Jazeera. The report said the DFM index fell 1.5 percent in one recent trading session alone as concerns over the Strait of Hormuz intensified. Analysts said the war's impact on Gulf-listed companies has been uneven, with tourism- and aviation-linked sectors hit hardest.
Zawya · Jul 10, 2026
Fed's June Minutes Reveal 9-to-8 Split Over a 2026 Rate Hike as Inflation Outlook Rises
Minutes from the U.S. Federal Reserve's June 16-17, 2026 policy meeting, released Wednesday, July 8, 2026, showed that while officials unanimously held the benchmark rate at 3.50 to 3.75 percent, they were split on the 2026 rate path in the dot plot: eight participants favored no change, one favored a cut, and nine favored at least one hike this year. According to CNBC, Fed officials also raised their 2026 inflation projections from 2.7 percent at the March update to 3.6 percent headline and 3.3 percent core, cited as driven largely by trade tariffs and the escalating Iran conflict.
CNBC · Jul 10, 2026
China's Central Bank Extends Gold-Buying Streak to 20 Months With 15-Tonne June Purchase
According to data reported in early July 2026, China's central bank (PBOC) extended its gold-buying streak to a 20th consecutive month in June, adding roughly 15 tonnes (480,000 ounces) to its reserves, a marked acceleration from May's 320,000-ounce purchase. Per Kitco News, corroborated by Bloomberg and IndexBox reporting, China's official gold reserves reached 75.44 million ounces (about 2,346 tonnes) by the end of June, even as global gold prices fell 11.65 percent during the month. Analysts describe the purchases as part of Beijing's strategy to reduce reliance on dollar-denominated reserve assets.
Kitco News · Jul 10, 2026
War-Risk Insurance to Cross the Strait of Hormuz Jumps to Up to 6% of Vessel Value
According to Insurance Journal and Bloomberg on Thursday, July 9, 2026, war-risk insurance rates for commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz have risen to between 2 and 6 percent of a ship's value, up from a fraction of a percent before the crisis. Marcus Baker, global head of marine at insurance broker Marsh, said that at the height of the recent escalation some vessels were charged as much as 10 percent of their value to transit, though no-claim discounts can reduce the headline rates. Two marine war-risk brokers and two underwriters told the report that quote requests have fallen since this week's ceasefire collapse, with visible shipping traffic through Hormuz having virtually ground to a halt.
Insurance Journal · Jul 10, 2026
Trump Declares Iran Ceasefire 'Over' at NATO Summit in Ankara
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, on the sidelines of the NATO leaders' summit in Ankara, that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is "over." According to NPR, Trump said negotiating with Iran was a waste of time and called the other side liars, though he noted that his special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner still want to continue talks. The remarks came after a fresh exchange of strikes between the two countries on July 6 and 7 and immediately moved markets: CNBC reported that US stocks fell in early trading and Brent crude jumped about 5.4 percent to settle near $78 a barrel on concerns of renewed disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.
NPR · Jul 10, 2026
US Revokes Temporary Iran Oil Sanctions Relief, Sets 10-Day Wind-Down
The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) revoked, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, its temporary Iran oil sanctions relief (General License X, issued June 21, 2026) in full by issuing General License X1. Under OFAC's official notice, no new transactions involving the production, sale, or delivery of Iranian-origin crude oil, petrochemicals, or petroleum products are authorized as of that date, with only a 10-day wind-down period running through 12:01 a.m. EDT on July 17, 2026, for previously permitted deals to be closed out. The move followed the July 6-7 attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of US military strikes on Iran.
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), U.S. Department of the Treasury · Jul 10, 2026
IRGC Strikes US Military Bases in Kuwait and Bahrain
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, that it had struck US military forces stationed in Kuwait and Bahrain with missiles and drones. According to NPR and Al Jazeera, the strikes were a response to a new round of US airstrikes on Iran's coastline the same day, after the ceasefire between the two countries collapsed. Air raid sirens sounded in both Kuwait and Bahrain, with authorities urging residents to take shelter. The IRGC warned it would expand the scope of its retaliation to other US bases in the region if Washington strikes again. The escalation followed the July 6-7 attacks on three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
NPR · Jul 10, 2026
Car Prices Rise in Tehran Amid Currency Volatility
Prices for some Iran Khodro and Saipa models in Tehran jumped sharply on Sunday, July 5, 2026 (14 Tir); according to Eghtesad Online, one model rose by as much as 195 million tomans in a single day. Market reports from the same period showed Saipa's Sahand S priced at 1.37 billion tomans and the Shahin Plus at 2.6 billion tomans, while Iran Khodro's Riira, its most expensive sedan, traded at 3.4 billion tomans. Auto market participants said currency volatility and recent political and security developments have left the car market unsettled and in a wait and see mode.
اقتصادآنلاین · Jul 10, 2026
Iraqi Dinar Firms Against the Toman as the Rial Weakens
The rate for 100 Iraqi dinars in Iran's free market rose from 11,500 tomans on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 (17 Tir), to 11,690 tomans on Thursday, July 9 (18 Tir). According to Rokna, the increase tracked the broader weakening of the rial against foreign currencies in recent days and was influenced by the rising dollar rate in Tehran's free market. Border currency market analysts also cited regional security developments and stronger demand from border exchange houses for foreign currency as contributing factors.
روزنا · Jul 10, 2026
Russian Ruble Nears 76 Per Dollar, Down 5% on the Month
The USD/RUB exchange rate reached 75.91 on Thursday, July 9, 2026, down 1.16 percent from the previous session in ruble terms. According to Trading Economics, the ruble has weakened 5.07 percent over the past month, though it remains up 2.11 percent from a year earlier. Russia's central bank had previously said fiscal policy would be more accommodative than expected over the next three years, as the federal government increases bond issuance to fund the war in Ukraine and subsidies for industries hit by Western sanctions.
Trading Economics · Jul 10, 2026
Dubai Gold Exchange to Launch Dirham Settled Gold Futures
The Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX), owned by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), announced plans to launch dirham settled gold futures for one kilogram bars meeting UAE Good Delivery and LBMA standards. According to Khaleej Times, the contract, which is subject to approval from the Central Bank of the UAE and the Securities and Commodities Authority, will be offered in spot and monthly futures formats out to twelve months with physical delivery. The plan is aimed at reducing the Persian Gulf region's reliance on the US dollar in gold trading and reinforcing Dubai's position as a global bullion hub.
Khaleej Times · Jul 10, 2026
China's Iranian Oil Imports Halve in June as US Sanctions a Chinese Refinery
China's crude oil imports from Iran fell to about 654,000 barrels a day in June 2026, more than halving from the prior month. The US Treasury Department, in an official statement issued in July 2026, sanctioned the Chinese refinery Shandong Shengxing Chemical Co. for purchasing more than a billion dollars' worth of Iranian crude, including from a front company linked to the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force. According to CNBC, China, which typically buys around 90 percent of Iran's oil exports, has scaled back purchases amid tightening sanctions and geopolitical risk.
U.S. Department of the Treasury · Jul 10, 2026
Tehran Stock Exchange Index Rises 2.4% as Trading Resumes After Holiday
The Tehran Stock Exchange's main index rose 124,260 points, or 2.4 percent, to 5,311,527 on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 (16 Tir), its first trading session after a three-day holiday. According to Tejarat News, 94 percent of traded symbols closed higher that day, and Fararu reported roughly 4.2 trillion tomans of fresh liquidity entered the stock market. The equal-weighted index also gained 28,336 points, or 2.08 percent, to 1,389,677, indicating the demand wave extended to smaller stocks as well. The rally followed a sharp decline in the index earlier in the month.
تجارتنیوز · Jul 10, 2026
Bitcoin Holds Near $62,900, Pulling Back From $64,000 Peak
Bitcoin traded near $62,900 on Thursday, July 9, 2026 (18 Tir), pulling back after briefly topping $64,000 days earlier for the first time. According to CoinDesk, the cryptocurrency has rallied nearly 10 percent since the start of July, driven largely by shifting expectations for Federal Reserve policy. A weaker than expected US jobs report, showing only 57,000 new jobs, fueled speculation that new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh will pursue more aggressive interest rate cuts.
CoinDesk · Jul 10, 2026
Tether Price in Iran Crosses 180,000 Tomans
Tether (USDT) rose 0.86 percent over the prior 24 hours to reach 180,340 tomans on Iran's domestic exchanges on Thursday, July 9, 2026 (18 Tir). According to Vana News, Tether's move above the 180,000-toman mark, effectively acting as a digital dollar gauge for the domestic market, coincided with the free market dollar's rise and stronger demand for safe-haven assets. The same report noted global bitcoin remained in the $63,000 range that day.
وانانیوز · Jul 10, 2026
Emami Gold Coin Tops 182 Million Tomans for the First Time
The full Emami gold coin in Tehran rose 1,520,000 tomans from the previous day to reach 182,010,000 tomans on Thursday, July 9, 2026 (18 Tir), crossing the 182 million mark for the first time. According to Tabnak, the half coin rose 1,490,000 tomans to 95,000,000 tomans and the quarter coin rose 500,000 tomans to 54,500,000 tomans, while the gram coin was unchanged at 27,000,000 tomans. The rise in the dollar rate and global gold price, along with political and security risk from the escalating Iran-US conflict, were cited as the main drivers of the jump.
تابناک · Jul 10, 2026
18-Karat Gold Nears 18-Million-Toman Peak in Iran
A gram of 18-karat gold in Tehran rose 201,000 tomans from the previous day to reach 17,999,000 tomans on Thursday, July 9, 2026 (18 Tir), edging toward the 18-million-toman mark. According to Shargh newspaper, a mesghal (a traditional 4.6-gram unit) of 17-karat gold climbed 873,000 tomans to 77,975,000 tomans. The simultaneous rise in the free-market dollar rate and the global gold price, combined with heightened precautionary demand amid escalating regional tensions, was cited as the main driver of the increase.
روزنامه شرق · Jul 10, 2026
Dollar Hits 181,500 Tomans in Free Market, a Recent High
The US dollar's free market rate in Tehran reached 181,500 tomans on Thursday, July 9, 2026 (18 Tir), up 1,305 tomans from 180,195 tomans the previous day. According to Donya-e-Eqtesad, the rate is up more than 6,000 tomans from 175,400 tomans recorded on Saturday, July 4 (13 Tir). Currency market analysts attributed the rise mainly to heightened political and security risk from the escalating Iran-US conflict and growing precautionary demand for safe-haven assets.
دنیای اقتصاد · Jul 10, 2026
Dollar Index Holds Near 101 as Fed Rate Path Remains Uncertain
The US Dollar Index (DXY) fell to 100.92 on Thursday, July 9, 2026 (18 Tir), down 0.07 percent from the previous session, though it is up 0.98 percent over the past month and 3.35 percent over the past year. According to Trading Economics, minutes from the Federal Reserve's June meeting showed policymakers remain divided over the future path of interest rates, with only a few officials favoring a rate hike, while markets continue to price in at least one Fed rate increase by the end of 2026.
Trading Economics · Jul 10, 2026
Global Gold Rebounds Above $4,100 After Two Sessions of Losses
Global gold prices rebounded above $4,100 an ounce on Thursday, July 9, 2026 (18 Tir), after falling for two prior sessions, trading in a range of roughly $4,100 to $4,130. According to Kitco News, gold had eased earlier in the week on expectations the Federal Reserve would keep interest rates elevated for longer, but minutes from the Fed's June meeting and heightened risk following the attack on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing US-Iran conflict revived safe-haven demand. The swings came alongside firmer US Treasury yields and a broadly stable dollar index.
Kitco News · Jul 10, 2026
Oil Retreats After Topping $78 as Strait of Hormuz Risk Premium Eases
WTI crude opened at $72.22 a barrel on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 (17 Tir), while Brent opened at $75.92 the same day and touched $78.17 intraday. According to Fortune, the rise reflected concern over a possible disruption to oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz after three tankers were attacked and a fresh round of US strikes on Iran began. By Thursday, July 9 (18 Tir), however, Brent eased back toward $77 a barrel, giving up part of the prior two days' gains. Analysts attributed the swings to the tug of war between regional geopolitical risk and the market's wait for the US Federal Reserve's next interest rate decision.
Fortune · Jul 10, 2026
Seven OPEC+ Members to Raise August Oil Output by 188,000 Barrels a Day
Seven OPEC+ members, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman, agreed on Sunday, July 5, 2026 (14 Tir), to raise their combined oil output by 188,000 barrels a day in August. According to Al Jazeera, it marked the fifth consecutive month the group has agreed to raise production, part of a gradual unwinding of the output cuts announced in 2023. The countries said in a statement they would continue to monitor market conditions and maintain a cautious approach. The decision came as oil prices eased from the highs of recent weeks.
Al Jazeera · Jul 10, 2026
Three Tankers Attacked in Strait of Hormuz as US Revokes Iran Oil Export Waiver
Three commercial vessels, including a Qatari flagged LNG carrier called Al Rekayyat and a Saudi flagged crude oil tanker, were attacked with projectiles and a drone in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 (16 Tir). According to the Washington Times, the Al Rekayyat caught fire after being struck by a projectile, though no casualties were reported. The US Treasury Department revoked, on the same day, an authorization issued in June 2026 that had allowed Iran to legally export oil. The move followed the attacks on the vessels and tightened pressure on Iran's oil exports, deepening concerns over the flow of crude from the Persian Gulf.
The Washington Times · Jul 10, 2026
Ceasefire Collapses as US Strikes Iran a Second Day, Tehran Retaliates Against Persian Gulf Bases
A ceasefire built around a June 2026 US-Iran memorandum to reopen the Strait of Hormuz unraveled after three commercial vessels were attacked in the strait on July 7, 2026 (16 Tir). According to Al Jazeera, on July 9 (18 Tir) US Central Command struck close to 90 military targets in Iran for a second straight night, after hitting nearly 80 targets, including more than 60 Revolutionary Guard vessels, the night before. In response, Iran's army and Revolutionary Guards fired drones and missiles at bases linked to the United States in Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, and Jordan said it intercepted eight missiles fired from Iran. Hossein Kermanpour, spokesman for Iran's Health Ministry public relations office, said US strikes on five Iranian provinces on July 8 and 9 have killed 14 people and wounded 78, with 47 of the wounded still hospitalized. The escalation has been a main driver behind this week's simultaneous jump in gold, dollar and oil prices.
Al Jazeera · Jul 10, 2026