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According to the Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter, efforts by the United States to restart negotiations with Iran and seek an end to the war are encountering resistance from major oil-producing countries in the Persian Gulf. These countries have recently shifted their stance on reaching a compromise with Iran. The Gulf states generally believe that Trump should not further escalate military action against Iran. However, sources say that oil-rich Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are lobbying the Trump administration to maintain economic pressure on Iran and not accept any concessions that could ease sanctions or lift the US maritime blockade. Saudi Arabia is facing particularly significant pressure. As the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen begin to restrict Saudi Arabia's oil transport through the Red Sea, its crude oil export channels are facing new obstacles. Sources indicate that pressure from the Gulf states is just one of many factors hindering a US-Iran agreement. Other obstacles include: Trump's own inclination to maintain the blockade; Iran's concerns that the US is pushing for negotiations merely to buy time before resuming military action after the US midterm elections; and the escalating confrontational rhetoric from Iranian hardliners as US economic pressure intensifies.

The yield on Japan's 5-year government bond rose 3.5 basis points to 2.410%.

HSBC Holdings: Raises target price for Chevron (CVX.N) from $218 to $250.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that Russia continues its strikes against defense industrial facilities and logistics centers, while also targeting ships used by the Ukrainian armed forces.

Market sources say that witnesses reported an explosion near downtown Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, caused by a Russian drone attack.

The yield on Japan's two-year government bonds rose 5 basis points to 1.950%.

On Thursday morning, U.S. State Department officials participated in the first formal meeting of the signatories to the Abraham Accords (the United States, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco) since October 7, 2023. On Thursday, officials from Kazakhstan joined the ranks of signatories to the Abraham Accords for the first time. Kazakhstan had expressed interest in joining the agreement last year. The U.S. delegation was led by Allison Hooker, a senior State Department official and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. The meeting was hosted by the U.S.-based N7 Foundation, which has been convening multilateral meetings of Abraham Accord countries since 2021. “The next phase will focus on deepening existing relationships and finding tangible opportunities for cooperation among nations,” said Jeffrey Talpins, founder of the N7 Foundation and chairman of the meeting.

According to Iranian media Fars News, Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi held separate talks with the foreign ministers of Portugal, Cyprus, and Brunei during his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly.

The yield on Japan's two-year government bonds rose 3.0 basis points to 1.930%.

The yield on India's benchmark 10-year government bond was 7.1347%, rising to its highest level since May 20.

Traders: The Reserve Bank of India may sell dollars to boost the rupee when the spot market opens.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard: Iran’s strikes have forced the United States to adopt a strategy of dispersion, concealment, and minimization of its presence.

Why does the US allow Iranian representatives to enter the country but not Palestinian Authority (PA) representatives? Jacob Majid, US bureau chief of The Times of Israel, explains that this reflects Washington's "transactional politics" logic. He states that the US government currently hopes to gain certain benefits from Iran—such as restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz—while the Palestinian Authority is considered to offer limited practical value.

According to a recent CNN poll, 69% of American respondents believe the war is "likely" to last a long time. The media outlet stated that the conflict is becoming a "quagmire," but the ongoing dialogue is a positive sign.

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama: Yields are affected by a variety of factors, and we are making every effort to take measures to address rising yields.

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama: Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed concern about the depreciation of the yen.

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama: Trump expressed concern about the weak yen; Japan will coordinate closely with the United States on foreign exchange matters.

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama: I will not comment on specific foreign exchange levels and exchange rate checks.

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama: The Bank of Japan is expected to adopt appropriate monetary policy while coordinating with the government.

Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama: The Bank of Japan's latest interest rate hike decision is to achieve its inflation target.