Newsquawk Rundown, Daily Podcast

Mediators are working to get the US and Iran back at the negotiating table, CNN reported, citing sources, later echoed by Axios. Brent is softer by around USD 0.20/bbl, with the market essentially waiting for a resumption of negotiations or strikes. Japanese assets lead after Finance Minister Katayama said pension funds should be encouraged to invest more in the domestic market. European...

Sources suggested Iranian air defence systems were activated. However, the US said they were not involved, and Iran then denied any explosions at all; Bushehr's officials said they intercepted projectiles. Mediators are working to get the US and Iran back at the negotiating table, CNN reported, citing sources, later echoed by Axios. Brent is firmer by USD 0.30/bbl, in a narrow range as the magnitu...

US struck around 90 Iranian military targets. In return, the IRGC said it attacked two US bases in Bahrain and two in Kuwait. CNN reported that US President Trump is losing patience with the pace of negotiations, particularly on nuclear. Crude benchmarks were firmer overnight, but moved lower as the European morning progressed as markets reacted to Trump’s remarks that Iran wanted to make a deal....

US struck around 90 Iranian military targets. In return, the IRGC said it attacked two US bases in Bahrain and two in Kuwait. CNN reports that US President Trump is losing patience with the pace of negotiations, particularly on nuclear. Energy benchmarks modestly bid, but in relatively narrow ranges; downside seen in the early European morning as Trump reiterates that Iran wants to make a deal. AP...

US struck around 90 Iranian military targets. In return, the IRGC said it attacked two US bases in Bahrain and two in Kuwait. CNN reports that US President Trump is losing patience with the pace of negotiations, particularly on nuclear. Energy benchmarks modestly bid, but in relatively narrow ranges; downside seen in the early European morning as Trump reiterates that Iran wants to make a deal. AP...

US President Trump said the Iran ceasefire is over, "I think", lifting Brent above USD 79/bbl, weighing on equities and fixed income. However, Trump did add he will allow US negotiators to continue talking with Iran, but said, "I think this is a waste of time" Euro Stoxx 50 -2.2%, ES -1.0%, NQ -1.4% given the above. Mixed APAC trade, but China was in the green after updates relating to D...

Mixed APAC trade, China in the green amid multiple IPOs and tech strength locally. US and European futures contained. DXY is range-bound despite the renewed Middle East clashes. Yields consolidate after the energy-driven lift on Tuesday, following the revocation of the Iranian waiver and tit-for-tat strikes. US Treasury revoked the June 21st Iran-related waiver, General License X, which had a...

Iran's IRGC fired at least two missiles at ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported, citing a US official. It was separately reported that one was a Qatari LNG tanker. Brent Sept’26 +1.2%. Fars reported that the Qatari tanker attempted to pass through the Omani route and ignored repeated warnings. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said negotiations on a final deal will not commence if threats...

Iran's IRGC fired at least two missiles at ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported, citing a US official. It was separately reported that one was a Qatari LNG tanker. Fars reported that the Qatari tanker attempted to pass through the Omani route and ignored repeated warnings. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said negotiations on a final deal will not commence if threats continue. KOSPI slum...

Islamabad is the more likely option for the next round of US-Iran technical talks, with July 11th expected to be the date, Fox reported. OPEC+ agreed to raise output targets by an additional 188k bpd, in line with the group's plan to reverse output curbs. European equity futures trade tentatively; US equity futures are indicative of a stronger open, NQ +1%. G10s are mostly lower against the USD. U...

Asia-Pac stocks initially started the session with broad gains, but later reversed. Crude futures started the week on the back foot. Islamabad is the more likely option for the next round of US-Iran technical talks, with July 11th expected to be the date, Fox reported. OPEC+ agreed to raise output targets by an additional 188k bpd, in line with the group's plan to reverse output curbs. Ship-tracki...

US President Trump warned that Iran has some missiles left and that they could wipe those out. It was separately suggested that Trump made it clear Iran cannot impose fees on the Strait of Hormuz. APAC stocks gained, with strength seen in the KOSPI (+4.6%); European equity futures are indicative of a slightly firmer open. DXY traded subdued at around 100.70; USD/JPY holds just above the 161.00 mar...

Qatar and Pakistan mediators concluded separate meetings with US and Iranian negotiators in Doha, highlighting positive progress on issues related to the Islamabad MoU. US equity futures trade mixed, with the NQ weighed by tech selling in South Korean stocks. DXY slips below the 101.00 handle, as the JPY strengthens on possible intervention. Fixed income benchmarks trade on the softer side heading...

US and Iran talks in Doha focused on management of the Strait of Hormuz and the terms of a 60-day MoU aimed at a comprehensive nuclear deal, Axios reported. Qatari and Pakistani mediators suggested that positive progress was made, and stated that both parties agreed to continue discussion over the coming period; Brent -0.9%. USTR said the US had not agreed to renew the USMCA in its current form an...

Indirect US-Iran technical talks are reportedly underway in Doha, with Qatar and Pakistan acting as mediators. However, US envoy Witkoff and Kushner will not be attending the talks themselves. Iran is reportedly insisting on retaining control over the Strait of Hormuz and could charge ships to transit from mid-August, according to sources. The source added that Iran are not going to discuss o...

US President Trump was briefed on all-out war options on Iran, but opted to stick with talks, while he told aides he's okay if talks go past the August 18th deadline, WSJ reported. However, VP Vance said Trump is ready to drop bombs again. A US official said ships are transiting the Strait of Hormuz at higher levels. Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said the meeting on Wednesday in Doha will p...

US President Trump's envoys Kushner and Witkoff are flying to Doha for talks; Iran believes the trip is focused on ceasefire compliance, and is not there for talks with the US, NYT reported. US equity futures are slightly firmer (NQ +0.1%) and set for their biggest quarterly gain in 6 years.  DXY strengthens, lifting USD/JPY firmly above 162.00; EUR weakness helped by cooler French...

US President Trump's envoys Kushner and Witkoff are flying to Doha for talks; Iran believes the trip is focused on ceasefire compliance, and is not there for talks with the US, NYT reported. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Baghaei said "we will not hold any negotiation meetings at any level with the American side in the coming days”, Tasnim reported. Journalist Mallick suggested talks may oc...

Over the weekend, the US CENTCOM announced that it conducted strikes against multiple Iranian targets after Iran hit a Panama-flagged tanker. In response, Iran struck US military bases in Gulf nations. Thereafter, the US and Iran agreed to halt strikes and to resume meetings this week. The talks are reportedly to be held on Tuesday, with a focus on the Strait of Hormuz and the recent esc...

Over the weekend, the US and Iran exchanged fire; the US said it responded to the Iranian’s decision to hit a Panama-flagged tanker. In response, Iran struck military bases in Gulf nations. Thereafter, the US and Iran agreed to halt strikes and to resume meetings this week. The talks are reportedly to be held on Tuesday, with a focus on the Strait of Hormuz and the recent escalation. US, Israel, a...

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister said the safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz without consideration of Iran's sovereignty is not guaranteed. This follows an Iranian strike on a Singapore-flagged cargo ship after failing to follow the set route. US President Trump said we have a new market coming up called Iran and added that Iran wants to make a deal with us very badly and thinks they will ma...

Iran attacked a Singapore-flagged cargo ship on Thursday in the Strait of Hormuz, WSJ reported, citing sources. Separately, the UN shipping agency temporarily paused its evacuation plan for stranded ships and seafarers out of Hormuz after the attack. Iran's PGSA said vessels outside PGSA-set routes will not be guaranteed safe passage. APAC stocks were broadly on the backfoot, with hefty declines i...

Conflicting reports on whether Israeli forces have pulled away from southern Lebanon, with Israeli and Lebanese sources denying earlier comments by a US State Department official stating Israel has pulled back. A senior Iraqi Oil Ministry official said the nation will consider all available options if its OPEC quota is not significantly increased and has considered the idea of leaving OPEC. Micron...

US stocks finished mixed. APAC trade was similar, but with KOSPI, +5.9%, leading and NQ, +1.9%, outperforming after strong Micron results, +18%. Micron beat expectations and issued stronger guidance, benefiting from surging AI-driven demand, rising memory prices and long-term customer agreements. DXY under modest pressure, peers generally contained. Brief JPY support seen on hawkish comments from...

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said it is conducting communications between the US and Iran to effectively implement the MoU and that technical talks will continue next week, potentially on Monday or Tuesday. US equity futures hold steady ahead of Micron earnings after-hours, with focus on guidance. DXY continues to gain, reaching new levels not seen since May 2025; Antipodeans underperform, wit...