Renewed Iran

JD Vance lambasted Israeli critics of the proposed deal, but did not travel to Europe as planned. Plus, at 82 years old, Keith Richards still gives some of the best interview quotes in townGood morning. Talks set to take place today between the US ⁠⁠and ​Iran to implement a peace deal were abruptly cancelled. The White House said the US still looked forward to “beginning technical talks as soon as possible”. Hezbollah-linked media reported Tehran was delaying sending its delegation due to Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon.The talks were set to begin in the Swiss village of Obbürgen two days after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that opened a 60-day window to negotiate a permanent agreement over Iran’s nuclear programme, while reopening the strait of Hormuz. The centre of the strait is blocked with about 80 mines that will need clearing for normal shipping to resume, the independent tanker owner trade body has said.What is happening in Lebanon? Hezbollah targeted Israeli forces near Nabatieh with several salvoes of rocket fire after Israeli shelling. Israel responded with a wave of airstrikes, killing at least 18 people and injuring 33. Iran has said Israel’s attacks on Lebanon must end as part of any peace deal.What did JD Vance say to Israeli critics of the deal? In sharp words, the vice-president said: “Donald J Trump is the only head of state in the entire world ‌who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this ‌moment in time. If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left ‌in the entire world.”Why does Trump’s Iran entanglement echo the Jimmy Carter years? In this excellent analysis piece Robert Tait reminds us that one of Trump’s earliest political forays was lambasting the Democratic president during the 1980 Iran hostage crisis. Trump, Tait says, now finds himself in a position that uncannily resembles that of his predecessor – unable to bend Iran to his will despite superior US military power. Continue reading...

Netanyahu acknowledges pause in fighting in TV speech but vows forceful response to future attacksMiddle East crisis – live updatesFears of a return to a full-scale regional war in the Middle East eased on Monday when Israel and Iran said they had halted attacks on each other after an appeal from Donald Trump to “immediately stop shooting”.Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, acknowledged the halt in fighting with Iran in a televised speech, but vowed to respond “with force” to future attacks. Continue reading...

• Asian stock markets, including Japan, South Korea, the Hang Seng Index, and the Shanghai Composite, plunged on Monday following a period of record AI-driven rallies. • Taiwan's Taiex saw a sharp decline, highlighted by a 3% drop in shares of semiconductor giant TSMC, a critical supplier for Nvidia. • The downturn is attributed to a correction after recent tech surges and renewed instability caused by attacks in Iran.

• Asian stock markets, including South Korea, Japan, the Hang Seng Index, and the Shanghai Composite, plunged on Monday following a period of record AI-driven gains. • Taiwan's Taiex saw a sharp decline, highlighted by a 3% drop in shares of semiconductor giant TSMC, a critical supplier for Nvidia. • The downturn is attributed to a correction after a massive tech rally and heightened geopolitical tensions following renewed attacks from Iran.

• Global markets rallied, with Euronext Dublin rising 1.2%, driven by renewed optimism regarding a potential peace deal between the US and Iran. • Budget airline Ryanair saw its shares climb 1.2% to €24.70, while Glanbia also recorded gains amid the positive market sentiment. • The surge reflects investor confidence that a breakthrough in Middle East peace talks will stabilize geopolitical tensions and boost travel and trade.

• Global markets moved sharply after Donald Trump said Iran negotiations were “going nicely,” while warning attacks could resume if no deal is reached, according to Moneycontrol’s live market coverage. • Oil prices jumped and gold rose more than 1% as traders reacted to the renewed geopolitical risk, while Indian equities also responded with Nifty breaking above its consolidation range. • The move matters because energy-price spikes and safe-haven buying can quickly spill into U.S. inflation expectations, equities, and Treasury markets.