Iran is 'open' to talks on Strait of Hormuz, Iranian FM says - Middle East conflict on 15 March
Iran says it is open to talks with countries seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz - disrupted by recent attacks - as Israel continues ...
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan has reduced the refinancing rate from 7.25% to 7%, the interest rate corridor floor from 6.25% to 6%, and the ceiling from 8.25% to 8%.
The Central Bank said that the decision was made based on several factors: the alignment of actual inflation with the forecast trajectory and its position within the target range (4±2%), recent global economic developments, the domestic macroeconomic environment, continued stability in the foreign exchange market, and the effective transmission of monetary policy decisions.
As of June 2025, 12-month inflation stood at 6%. Price growth was recorded at 7% for food, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco products; 7.2% for services; and 2.8% for non-food products. Core inflation for the same period was 4.8%.
Although some external uncertainties persist, their impact on inflation has remained limited according to the Central Bank. According to the International Monetary Fund, the global commodity price index declined by 0.6% year-on-year in June 2025, including a 4.2% decrease in the food price index.
During the current year, supply has exceeded demand in the foreign exchange (FX) market overall, including both cash and non-cash segments. The continued decline in the dollarization of resident individuals’ deposits reflects positive expectations regarding the exchange rate, Bank's statement reads. External sector indicators—the key drivers of the FX market—remain favourable. According to the State Customs Committee, a foreign trade surplus of $1.4 billion was recorded in the first half of 2025.
Azerbaijan's Central Bank stated that global trade continued to contribute to volatility in commodity and financial markets. In this context, imported inflation remains an external risk factor, influenced by inflation in key trading partner countries and changes in the nominal effective exchange rate.
On the domestic front, the main source of inflationary pressure is the potential intensification of cost-push factors and rapid growth in aggregate demand. This underscores the importance of closely monitoring the medium-term effects of government spending and consumer lending on demand and price levels.
Under the baseline scenario, annual inflation is expected to stay within the target range throughout 2025 and 2026.
The July forecast projects inflation at 5.7% in 2025 and 5.3% in 2026. The consistency of these forecasts with the target range, combined with ongoing FX market stability, provides justification for a further easing of monetary policy, according to the Central Bank.
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A widening conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel has triggered escalating military strikes across the Middle East, disrupted shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz and raised concerns over global energy supplies. This live report tracks the latest developments.
Iran says it is open to talks with countries seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz - disrupted by recent attacks - as Israel continues to launch wide‑scale strikes on Iranian infrastructure in the west. This live report tracks the latest developments.
North Korea fired what appeared to be a ballistic missile on Saturday (14 March), Japanese and South Korean officials said. The development comes amid the joint annual U.S.-South Korea "Freedom Shield" military drills and South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok's visit to Washington.
Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery and a key port in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region overnight (13-14 March), local authorities said, causing injuries and damage. In separate action, Russian air attacks on Ukrainian territory killed and wounded civilians near Kyiv, officials reported.
The prevailing security situation in the region has done little to deter entrepreneurs from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) who continue to view Dubai as a premier and safe location for business.
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.
Global financial markets remained on edge on Friday as the escalating war involving the United States, Israel and Iran continued to rattle investors, fuelling volatility in stocks and sending energy prices sharply higher.
China’s top leadership has unveiled a new push to turn advanced technologies into large-scale industrial priorities as part of the country’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, which will guide economic and social development from 2026 to 2030.
The European Commission sees no immediate impact on the European Union's security of oil supply from the escalating conflict in the Middle East, it said in an email to EU governments, seen by Reuters on Monday (2 March).
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