16.06.2025 00:35
Iran has informed Qatar and Oman, acting as mediators, that it will not engage in negotiations with the United States while under attack, according to an official familiar with the ongoing discussions. This declaration comes amidst a significant escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, marked by substantial retaliatory strikes from both sides. The official explicitly refuted reports suggesting Iran had sought US mediation for a ceasefire or a resumption of nuclear talks.
Contrary to speculation, the official source firmly denied that Iran had requested either a ceasefire brokered by the United States or a renewal of nuclear negotiations. These denials directly contradict recent media reports circulating about potential diplomatic overtures from Tehran.
The escalating geopolitical tensions are having a palpable impact on global markets. At the time of this writing, gold prices (XAU/USD) have experienced a 0.40% increase, reaching $3,446. This upward trend reflects a "risk-off" sentiment among investors.
Investor behavior shifts significantly depending on market sentiment, oscillating between "risk-on" and "risk-off" modes. A "risk-on" environment signifies investor optimism, leading to increased investment in higher-risk assets such as stocks and cryptocurrencies. Conversely, a "risk-off" environment, driven by uncertainty and apprehension, sees investors favoring safer assets like government bonds and gold. This current gold price surge exemplifies the latter scenario.
During "risk-on" periods, stock markets typically climb, and most commodities (excluding gold) appreciate. Currencies of major commodity exporters strengthen due to higher demand, and cryptocurrencies also tend to rise. In contrast, "risk-off" periods see bond prices, particularly for government bonds, increase. Gold shines as a safe haven, along with safe-haven currencies like the Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, and US Dollar. Currencies heavily reliant on commodity exports, such as the Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand dollars, typically perform well during "risk-on" periods, mirroring commodity price movements.
