Express News | Trump announces extension of ceasefire with Iran
Express News | Sources indicate that Iran will not participate in the U.S.-Iran talks scheduled for the 22nd.
Trump stated that he would not extend the ceasefire and threatened to resume bombing Iran. Reports indicate that Iran will not participate in the negotiations scheduled for the 22nd, and Vance has postponed his attendance.
After Trump's threat of bombing, the three major U.S. stock indices turned to losses. After news spread that Vance postponed his trip, the three major indices hit new daily lows. A member of Iran's parliamentary presidium stated that there would be no second round of negotiations until the maritime blockade is resolved; an Iranian parliamentary official mentioned that if diplomatic language proves ineffective, they will choose to continue hostilities. Pakistani sources claimed that relevant U.S. negotiators have arrived in Pakistan one after another; American media reported that Vance is still in Washington and will attend a White House meeting, while his delay in traveling to Islamabad is due to internal Iranian disagreements over whether to participate in a new round of peace talks.
Trump: A 'major agreement' between the US and Iran is expected, and he will be disappointed if Wash does not cut interest rates quickly.
During a media interview on Tuesday, U.S. President Trump made intensive remarks on issues including Iran, Federal Reserve personnel, and military applications of artificial intelligence.
Will the new Fed chair take action? When will gold break through?
On Tuesday, April 21, spot gold prices experienced slight downward pressure ahead of the U.S. trading session. The latest market data shows that spot gold fell by 0.5% to around $4,795 per ounce, while the June-delivery U.S. gold futures contract dropped by 0.3% to approximately $4,815 per ounce. This movement is primarily attributed to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar index, coupled with significant uncertainties surrounding the prospects of U.S.-Iran peace negotiations, leading investors to adopt a cautious stance. The continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, combined with Iran’s strong dissatisfaction over the U.S. actions targeting its merchant vessels over the weekend, has kept market inflation expectations elevated, exerting direct downward pressure on non-yielding assets like gold. The current market
Vance to Arrive in Islamabad on Wednesday: Why Is This Negotiation 'Different'?
According to Al Jazeera, informed sources involved in the U.S.-Iran mediation stated that U.S. Vice President Vance is expected to arrive in Islamabad on Wednesday (following the arrival of a U.S. advance delegation). Trump's envoy Wittkof and Kushner are also expected to visit Pakistan, maintaining the same delegation level as in the first round of talks. Several U.S. military aircraft have already arrived in Pakistan ahead of the anticipated talks. However, according to Iran's Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), as of now, Iran has not dispatched any diplomatic delegation to Islamabad, Pakistan, whether an advance team or a follow-up group, and whether for preliminary missions or follow-up envoys. Despite this,
A 2,000-word testimony avoids discussing monetary policy. The focus of the Warsh hearing: Why the sharp reversal on interest rate cuts?
Analysts believe that Kevin Warsh's nearly 2,000-word opening statement, though unusually lengthy, deliberately avoided addressing core issues such as monetary policy and balance sheet reduction. He skillfully delineated the boundaries of independence: maintaining autonomy in interest rate decisions while extending goodwill to Congress on regulatory matters. The hearing was heavily laden with political theatrics, and his confirmation prospects largely hinge on behind-the-scenes political maneuvering. However, the hearing is not a reliable window for predicting policy, and his true intentions may only become clear after he officially assumes office. Fed Chair nominee Kevin Warsh is set to appear before the Senate Banking Committee for his confirmation hearing, but this process, which has captured the attention of global markets, may ultimately reveal far less than it appears.
Trump stated that the U.S. negotiators 'will arrive tonight,' while Iran has not changed its decision not to participate in the negotiations.
Trump also stated that he would be willing to meet with senior Iranian leaders if negotiations made a breakthrough.
The 'Fed whisperer': Worrisome logic in Warsh's rate cuts, with the strictest audience at the hearing being his future colleagues.
Wash's logic for rate cuts has been questioned within the Federal Reserve, and the most rigorous audience at the hearing will be his future colleagues. Will he adjust his stance based on the latest developments and turn hawkish?
Are the talks happening or not? Iran has been sending out intensive signals, while the U.S. delegation is already waiting.
According to a report by the Xinhua News Agency citing Iranian media on the 20th, the spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that there are currently no plans for a second round of negotiations with the United States. Previously, foreign media reported that Iran had decided to continue negotiations but emphasized that this "does not mean negotiations at any cost" and does not accept "any actions taken by the other party." If positive signals are received from the U.S., the Iranian delegation will travel to Islamabad to participate in the talks.
Express News | Islamabad enhances security as a plane carrying U.S. personnel arrives in Pakistan.
Express News | Pakistani sources: US-Iran talks may take place before Friday.
With the ceasefire 'three days away,' Israeli forces attacked Lebanon, Iran's military closed the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump convened another 'situation room meeting.'
U.S. officials warned that the war could resume within days, with plans for the U.S. military to board and seize Iranian vessels. Trump threatened to "start dropping bombs again" after the ceasefire expires, testing the market's expectations for peace.
Express News | Iranian Parliament Speaker Kalibaf: War could resume at any time.
Express News | Iranian Parliament Speaker Says Long Way to Go Before Final Agreement with US is Reached
The Strait of Hormuz is set to open, driving gold prices to a one-month high.
①The latest statement from Iran's Foreign Minister indicated that the passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be fully open, driving gold prices to their highest level in nearly a month; ②Market optimism regarding the potential for a U.S.-Iran peace agreement has led traders to increase expectations for interest rate cuts, thereby boosting precious metal prices; ③Data from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission shows that investors have raised bullish positions on gold to their highest level in four weeks, while also being bullish on silver.
Iran has set conditions for passage through the Strait of Hormuz and is currently working with the U.S. on a framework for a peace agreement, warning that it will close the strait if the U.S. continues its maritime blockade.
The conditions include: civilian vessels passing through designated Iranian routes; military vessels remain prohibited; all ships must obtain permission from the Iranian navy. Iranian officials stated that Iran and the U.S. are drafting a memorandum of understanding to establish an overarching framework for a final, permanent peace agreement, with the memorandum setting a 60-day window for follow-up negotiations. They expressed optimism about signing the memorandum during talks in the coming days. The Iranian Foreign Ministry noted that the U.S. maritime blockade violates the ceasefire agreement and warned of necessary countermeasures if the blockade continues. Iran also rejected transporting enriched uranium abroad. The U.S. military reiterated its close monitoring of 'every Iranian port' and, for the first time, disclosed the location of the maritime blockade line, which covers all of Iran's southern coastline and ports.
Has the Middle East crisis temporarily come to an end? Expectations of a Fed rate cut rekindled, with gold approaching $4,900 per ounce.
Has Iran given a 'divine assist' to gold bulls? Analysts predict that, amid renewed expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts, gold prices could surge toward the $5,000 mark in the short term.
Trump claimed that Iran has made a key concession: 'They just need to bring a pen!'
Trump stated that there might be no need to extend the ceasefire agreement, and the next meeting with Iran could take place over the weekend. If an agreement is reached, he might visit Pakistan 'in person.'
The ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel has been in effect for ten days, during which Trump seized the opportunity to call for dialogue: Iran agrees to not possess nuclear weapons, and the U.S. and Iran might resume talks over the weekend.
A ten-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel took effect on Thursday. Trump took the opportunity to state that Iran had agreed not to possess nuclear weapons, and the U.S. and Iran might resume talks this weekend. He claimed that 'Iran has agreed to almost all demands,' and the agreement would cause oil prices to plummet. However, Iranian officials have yet to respond.