News

The EU High Representative stated that Israel's settlement plans in the West Bank, including the E1 area, violate international law.

The EU High Representative urged the Israeli government to withdraw its tender and halt the E1 settlement program in the West Bank.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Office (UKMTO) stated that shipping traffic has declined in both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Rezaei stated: "If the economic war continues, not a single drop of oil will be exported from the Strait of Hormuz or anywhere else in the Persian Gulf. Iran will consider any country's participation in or support of the US-led economic war against the Iranian people as an act of war."

Market news: Russia is about to receive its first shipment of seaborne gasoline from Turkey, with approximately 200,000 barrels of oil currently en route. Since late July, Russia's seaborne gasoline imports have exceeded 1 million barrels.

According to Nikkei Asia: Japan is providing $125 million in support to nuclear fusion and recycling startups through a public-private partnership fund.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has arrived in London for an official visit to the United Kingdom, where he will meet with senior British officials and the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization to discuss regional maritime security issues.

[US Casualties in Iran War Rise to 774] According to the Washington Post, data from the US Department of Defense's casualty statistics system shows that US casualties in the war with Iran have risen to 774, including 18 deaths and 756 injuries. Even during periods without large-scale combat, the Department of Defense has quietly added approximately 60 new injury records recently. A large number of the wounded suffered traumatic brain injuries from the blasts during attacks on US bases in Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin: Ukraine's 40-day "influence operation" against Russia has failed to change the situation, and Russian forces are continuing their advance.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf shared an image on social media platform X, outlining the impact of economic pressure on Iran and changes in the energy market on the US economy. Referring to Trump's recent measures to control US commodity prices, he wrote: "Importing frozen meat to control meat prices? Okay, maybe that works. But what are the US plans for its Treasury bonds? Want to import 'frozen yields'? For the housing market, are you going to introduce 'frozen buyers'? To solve the wage problem, are you going to issue 'frozen paychecks'? A rigid and uninnovative foreign policy will result in a frozen and stagnant economy. The only thing still functioning is that this boomerang of 'devastating economic pressure' on Iran will ultimately return to the US itself."

The U.S. National Hurricane Center reports that Tropical Storm Iselle has formed in the waters off Mexico.

Capital markets expert Aghabozorgi stated that since the beginning of the Iranian calendar year 1404 (corresponding to March 21, 2025 to March 20, 2026 in the Gregorian calendar), the Tehran Stock Exchange Composite Index has risen by over 110%. Compared to other competitive markets, the stock market currently offers higher investment value, and the Composite Index reaching 7 million points by the end of the year is not out of reach. Market expert Nima Mirzai stated that the stock market remains in a long-term upward trend, and the recent sell-off can be seen as resistance to the psychological barrier of 6 million points, as well as some funds shifting to gold and the US dollar. The market can continue to rise after a brief consolidation.

The Iranian gold market in Tehran set new price records on the first day of the Iranian Lunar New Year (August 23). New full-size gold coins sold for 217.5 million rials, while older full-size gold coins rose by 11.2 million rials to 216.5 million rials. Half-size gold coins jumped by 6.2 million rials to 112 million rials, and quarter-size gold coins rose by 4.1 million rials to 60.5 million rials. Smaller denomination gold coins increased by 1 million rials to 31 million rials.

The Iranian rial hit a record high against the US dollar today, reaching 200,000 tomans (equivalent to 2 million rials); the British pound and the euro also broke through the 272,000 toman and 234,000 toman marks respectively.

According to the Financial Times, Italian oil company Eni is betting that nuclear fusion will become its "next refinery".

According to Japan's Kyodo News, a poll shows that the approval rating for the Sanae Takaichi cabinet has dropped to 50.2%, the lowest since she took office.

The Norwegian government plans to provide 85 billion Norwegian kroner in support to Ukraine in fiscal year 2027.

The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that Russian troops fired FAB-500 and FAB-1500 bombs at temporary deployment points of Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions.

Ukrainian President Zelensky: Russia may have the capacity to produce up to 1,300 ballistic missiles per year.

Ukrainian President Zelensky: An agreement has been reached with Germany to supply 600 PAC-2 missile interceptors in 2027-2028.