Iran-U.S. Nuclear Talks Remain Unresolved as Strait of Hormuz Risks Keep Markets on Edge 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
U.S. Sanctions Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority as Global Oil Markets Face Turmoil 
Wall Street Reaches New Record Highs as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Hopes Boost Markets 
Asian Markets Slide as New U.S. Strikes on Iran Spark Investor Caution 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
European Stocks Rise as AI Optimism Offsets U.S.-Iran Tensions 
Tokyo Inflation Cools in May, Supporting BOJ’s Cautious Rate Hike Path 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
Wall Street Hits New Highs as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Boost Market Sentiment 
UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
US Imposes Fresh Iran Oil Sanctions Despite Progress on Ceasefire Talks 
Gold Prices Hold Near Record Levels as Inflation Concerns Offset Middle East Ceasefire Hopes 
Asian Stocks Rally as AI Boom and Iran Ceasefire Progress Lift Market Sentiment 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
The Japanese yen fell on Thursday amid growing political uncertainty and stalled trade negotiations with the U.S., hitting a one-year low against the euro. Investors are increasingly nervous as polls suggest Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s coalition could lose its upper house majority in Sunday’s election.
Trade tensions are adding pressure, with Japan yet to secure a deal to avoid U.S. tariffs ahead of an August 1 deadline. A 45-minute call between Japan’s top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick ended without resolution. President Donald Trump recently hinted that 25% tariffs on Japanese imports may remain unless a deal is reached, compounding market jitters.
June export data showed a 0.5% year-on-year decline, marking the second consecutive monthly drop. The yen weakened 0.4% to 148.44 per dollar and 0.3% to 172.58 per euro. Meanwhile, Trump denied plans to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell despite reports suggesting otherwise, helping the U.S. dollar recover modestly. The dollar index edged up 0.1% to 98.466.
Market experts say any move against Powell could destabilize faith in U.S. financial leadership. ANZ’s Mahjabeen Zaman warned that a dovish Fed could reignite inflation and weaken the dollar further, stressing the importance of Fed independence.
In other currency movements, the Australian dollar fell 0.6% to $0.6491 after disappointing jobs data pushed unemployment to its highest since late 2021. The New Zealand dollar also slipped 0.3% to $0.5929.
As global investors watch Japan’s election outcome and the U.S.-Japan tariff standoff, market volatility and pressure on the yen are expected to persist.
