UNCATEGORIZED

Gold falls below $4,000 an ounce as the dollar rises and the Federal Reserve awaits its decision.

Gold falls below $4,000 an ounce as the dollar rises and the Federal Reserve awaits its decision.

2026-06-25

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Gold prices fell on Thursday, remaining near their lowest levels in more than seven months, as the US dollar remained strong and market expectations grew regarding an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve.

The price of gold in spot transactions fell by 0.4% to $3,985.89 an ounce, after hitting its lowest level since November 2025 in the previous session. US gold futures for August delivery also declined by Read more…

The US Congress reverses its vote in favor of Trump regarding the Iran war.

The US Congress reverses its vote in favor of Trump regarding the Iran war.

2026-06-25

Shafaq News – Washington
The US Senate voted on a resolution supporting President Donald Trump in waging war on Iran, one day after the Senate passed a completely different resolution.

Fifty members of Congress had voted on Tuesday on a resolution stripping Trump of the authority to wage war on Iran without the approval of the House, before the result changed on Wednesday night in favor of the resolution.

Senators Rand Paul and Bill Cassidy, both Republicans, reversed their decision Read more…

“The Al-Jumaili Case”: Reports of large sums of money being found inside a split unit.

“The Al-Jumaili Case”: Reports of large sums of money being found inside a split unit.

6-25-2026

Reports indicate that huge sums of money were found inside a “split” in Baghdad as part of the case of the detained Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil for Liquidation Affairs, Adnan Al-Jumaili.
The news report stated that “the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court found huge sums of cash, estimated at $22.9 million, which were tightly hidden inside vertical air conditioning units in one of the apartments belonging to the former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil for Liquidation Affairs, Adnan Al-Jumaili.” Read more…

Lowest in 7 months… Gold records unprecedented losses

Lowest in 7 months… Gold records unprecedented losses

2026-06-24

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Gold recorded unprecedented losses on Wednesday afternoon, the lowest since November 2025, as the price of an ounce fell below $4,000, according to Reuters.

These losses come after gold prices fell earlier today to their lowest level in nearly two weeks, affected by the rising dollar and increasing investor bets on Read more…

Iran and Oman reaffirm their commitment to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.

Iran and Oman reaffirm their commitment to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.

2026-06-23

Shafaq News – Muscat
Iran and Oman affirmed on Tuesday their commitment to maintaining the security of the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring the smooth flow of navigation through it, while emphasizing respect for the sovereignty of both countries in all arrangements related to the strait.

The Omani News Agency reported that Muscat and Tehran, during joint official talks, stressed the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz safe and open to ship traffic, in order to ensure Read more…

Switzerland talks: Iran announces “significant progress” on Lebanon, oil, and assets

Switzerland talks: Iran announces “significant progress” on Lebanon, oil, and assets

2026-06-22

Shafaq News – Tehran/Geneva
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed on Monday that the ongoing mediation efforts of Pakistan and Qatar have contributed to achieving “significant progress” towards ending the war in Lebanon, pointing to developments he described as important in the course of the ongoing understandings.

Araghchi said in a post that “the first real test is the de-friction cell in Lebanon,” adding that the talks also included economic files Read more…

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns

2026-06-22

Shafaq News – London
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday his resignation as head of government and leader of the Labour Party, confirming that he had informed King Charles III of his decision during a phone call that took place that morning.

Starmer said he had asked the Labour Party’s National Executive to set a timetable for choosing a new party leader, with nominations opening on July 9 and the election process to be Read more…

Due to Trump’s threats, the Iranian delegation suspends the Swiss negotiations, and Qalibaf warns: Our forces are ready to respond.

Due to Trump’s threats, the Iranian delegation suspends the Swiss negotiations, and Qalibaf warns: Our forces are ready to respond.

2026-06-21

Shafaq News – Tehran
Iranian media reported on Sunday evening that the Iranian delegation had suspended negotiations with the American side in Switzerland in protest against threats made by US President Donald Trump against Tehran.

The Fars news agency quoted an informed source as saying that “Trump’s threat halted the Swiss negotiations and cast uncertainty on their continuation.”

For his part, the head of the negotiating delegation, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, wrote in a post Read more…

No handshakes, no commemorative photos… Iran enters the Geneva negotiations with the Hormuz card

No handshakes, no commemorative photos… Iran enters the Geneva negotiations with the Hormuz card

2026-06-21

Shafaq News – Geneva
Iran began its talks with the United States in Switzerland on Sunday by refusing to shake hands with members of the American delegation or take a joint photo with them, while maintaining its position on the Strait of Hormuz and linking its reopening to a halt to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

The Iranian news agency Tasnim quoted a source close to the Iranian negotiating team as saying that the American delegation and the organizers of the negotiations had prepared to arrange a handshake Read more…

Pakistan: Talks between Washington and Tehran will be held tomorrow in Switzerland.

Pakistan: Talks between Washington and Tehran will be held tomorrow in Switzerland.

2026-06-20

Shafaq News – Islamabad/Tehran
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday afternoon that technical talks between Washington and Tehran will be held on Sunday at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland.

The ministry indicated that the talks would be sponsored by Pakistan and Qatar as mediating countries.

For its part, the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday that an Iranian delegation had left for Switzerland Read more…

US intelligence chief accuses Biden’s doctor of concealing information about the origin of coronavirus

US intelligence chief accuses Biden’s doctor of concealing information about the origin of coronavirus

6-20-2026

Information/Follow-up…
On her last day in office, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced the release of previously undisclosed correspondence and documents accusing Anthony Fauci, then head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), of working with politically motivated elements within the intelligence community to conceal the true origin of the coronavirus and influence intelligence assessments related to the pandemic.
Gabbard stated that the documents show Dr. Anthony Fauci used millions of dollars of US taxpayer money to fund dangerous research in exchange for positions at the Wuhan Institute Read more…

Following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, an Iranian delegation traveled to Switzerland to follow up on Washington’s commitments.

Following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, an Iranian delegation traveled to Switzerland to follow up on Washington’s commitments.

2026-06-20

Shafaq News – Tehran
The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday that an Iranian delegation had left for Switzerland to follow up on the implementation of the United States’ “commitments” under the memorandum of understanding.

The ministry stated in a statement that “the first clause is the most important in the memorandum of understanding, and the other party has failed to fulfill its commitment to force Israel to stop its attacks on Lebanon.”

The Iranian Foreign Ministry called on America to “speed up the implementation of the memorandum Read more…

Iranian Foreign Ministry: Claims by some media outlets regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are unfounded.

Iranian Foreign Ministry: Claims by some media outlets regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are unfounded.

6-19-2026

Information/Follow-up…
The Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that claims by some media outlets regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz were untrue, explaining that Friday’s meeting in Switzerland had been postponed to another day.

The ministry stated in press statements that “since the signing of the memorandum of understanding was done electronically, holding the Switzerland meeting is no longer urgent.”

She added, “We plan to hold a meeting for negotiations in the coming days,” confirming that Read more…

Gold is heading for its third weekly loss due to the strength of the dollar and signs of monetary tightening.

Gold is heading for its third weekly loss due to the strength of the dollar and signs of monetary tightening.

2026-06-19

Shafaq News – Erbil
Gold prices fell slightly on Friday, heading for their third consecutive weekly decline, pressured by rising dollar levels and signals of monetary tightening from the Federal Reserve (the US central bank), which negatively affected the appeal of the non-yielding yellow metal.

Gold fell 0.5% in spot trading to $4,189.26 per ounce by 00:43 GMT, while U.S. gold futures for August delivery dropped Read more…

Tehran sets conditions for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz

Tehran sets conditions for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz

2026-06-19

Shafaq News – Tehran
Iran’s Strait of Hormuz Authority announced on Friday that ships would be allowed to pass through the strait under specific conditions.

The authority stated in a statement on the “X” platform that “ships wishing to cross the Strait of Hormuz will be granted the right of passage during the time period announced in the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, provided that the requirements and procedures stipulated for passage are met.”

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Thursday set rules for commercial ships to pass Read more…

Swiss Foreign Ministry: US-Iranian negotiations will not take place today

Swiss Foreign Ministry: US-Iranian negotiations will not take place today

6-19-2026

The Swiss Foreign Ministry announced the cancellation of technical talks scheduled between Washington and Tehran today, hours after the White House postponed Vice President Jay D. Vance’s visit to Switzerland. The ministry said in a statement that “talks scheduled for Friday between the United States and Iran at the Bürgenstock mountain resort have been cancelled, hours after the White House announced the postponement of US Vice President Jay D. Vance’s visit to Switzerland, where he was to participate in talks with Tehran on Read more…

Kuwait cancels “force majeure” for oil and discusses Hormuz security with Iran

Kuwait cancels “force majeure” for oil and discusses Hormuz security with Iran

2026-06-18

Shafaq News – Kuwait
The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation announced on Thursday that it has lifted all “force majeure” notices it had issued during the war, confirming that the decision came into effect immediately with the improvement of conditions and the resumption of commercial shipping in the region.

The corporation said it plans to increase oil production to two million barrels per day within one week, coinciding with Read more…

Ahead of Washington-Tehran negotiations, the Pakistani Prime Minister cancels his visit to Switzerland.

Ahead of Washington-Tehran negotiations, the Pakistani Prime Minister cancels his visit to Switzerland.

2026-06-18

Shafaq News – Islamabad: Pakistani media reported on Thursday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has canceled his visit to Switzerland ahead of the scheduled start of negotiations between Tehran and Washington on Friday. Pakistani television stated that “Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s planned visit to Switzerland has been canceled, without specifying a reason.” The television station added that “the US-Iranian technical negotiations will begin separately.” Pakistani media quoted a source in the Prime Minister’s office as Read more…

Switzerland confirms: Washington-Tehran talks in Bürgenstock will take place tomorrow

Switzerland confirms: Washington-Tehran talks in Bürgenstock will take place tomorrow

2026-06-18

Shafaq News – Follow-up
The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that preliminary talks between the United States and Iran will be held at the Bürgenstock mountain resort on Friday , following the signing of a ceasefire agreement between Tehran and Washington .

The ministry said in a statement, reported by Reuters, that “as of now, the plan is still to hold a meeting between the United States and Iran, along with mediators Pakistan and Qatar and other concerned countries , tomorrow in Bürgenstock to conduct preliminary negotiations on the implementation Read more…

Regional trade shifts: Iran turns to Iraq to secure the flow of its goods.

Regional trade shifts: Iran turns to Iraq to secure the flow of its goods.

2026-06-18

Shafaq News – Tehran
Iran is moving towards strengthening the use of Iraq as an alternative trade route, after some traditional shipping routes through the UAE faltered and gas supplies to the Iraqi market declined, which was reflected in the volume of trade exchange between the two countries during the recent period.

Statements issued by the Iran-Iraq Joint Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, and followed by Shafaq News Agency, indicated that Tehran is working to activate alternative routes for transporting Read more…