Analysis: U.S. sanctions on Iran have a big impact, but not necessarily in the intended places
Sanctions are a long-used tool designed as an alternative to military force and with the objective of changing governments’ behaviour, but they also...
Gold prices edged higher on Monday after slipping to their lowest level in more than a month, supported by a weakening U.S. dollar and easing geopolitical tensions that have tempered safe-haven demand.
Spot gold rose 0.5% to $3,290 per ounce by 06:13 GMT, recovering from its lowest point since 29 May earlier in the session. U.S. gold futures also gained 0.4%, reaching $3,301.
Market sentiment was buoyed by easing trade friction between the U.S. and China, as well as improving geopolitical conditions. This shift boosted risk appetite and lifted global equities, while weighing on the dollar, which fell 0.3%. A softer dollar typically supports gold by making it cheaper for buyers using other currencies.
“There is less of a ‘doom and gloom’ outlook surrounding both tariff talks and events in the Middle East, which is relegating gold to play second fiddle to risk assets,” said Tim Waterer, Chief Market Analyst at KCM Trade.
Asian stock markets strengthened, and Wall Street futures pointed higher as traders responded to diplomatic progress. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday cited key breakthroughs in negotiations over rare earth shipments from China and said several trade deals could be finalized by the 1 September Labor Day deadline.
In a related development, Canada rescinded its planned digital services tax on U.S. tech companies just hours before implementation, a move aimed at reviving stalled trade talks with Washington.
Meanwhile, a ceasefire between Iran and Israel appeared to be holding after 12 days of conflict, contributing to the broader decline in safe-haven demand.
Waterer noted that while gold found support from a weakening dollar, the $3,250 level remains a key technical threshold.
“Any breach of this level could see losses accelerate towards the $3,200 level,” he added.
Gold’s performance continues to be weighed by stable global conditions and a high-interest-rate environment, which dulls the appeal of non-yielding assets like bullion.
In other precious metals, spot silver gained 0.5% to $36.16 per ounce, platinum rose 2% to $1,366.63, and palladium increased 1.6% to $1,151.36.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has activated the state’s National Guard following the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen in Minneapolis, an incident that has triggered protests and intensified tensions between state and federal authorities.
Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez said on Sunday the country should not fear pursuing energy ties with the United States, as Caracas seeks to expand oil and gas production and attract foreign investment.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly rejected a U.S. magazine report on the death toll during January unrest. Nationwide protests erupted in response to soaring inflation and a national currency crisis.
A mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV was illuminated on Sunday at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, continuing a centuries-old Vatican tradition marking the election of a new pope.
Diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine remain stalled after talks in Abu Dhabi ended without an agreement. Moscow has since ruled out dialogue with the EU’s top diplomat.
Argentina's economic activity shrunk 0.3% in November compared with the same month last year, marking the first monthly contraction of 2025, data from Argentina's national statistics agency showed on Wednesday.
Wall Street closed sharply lower on Tuesday as global markets fell after U.S. President Donald Trump’s new tariff threats against Europe unsettled investors and revived fears of renewed volatility.
Global markets are rattled after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs on eight European countries over Greenland, sending the euro to a seven-week low and raising concerns about renewed transatlantic trade tensions.
Hong Kong and Shanghai will sign a memorandum of understanding next week to establish a cross-border gold trade clearing system, a move aimed at boosting Hong Kong’s role as an international gold trading hub, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said.
Elon Musk is seeking up to $134 billion from OpenAI and Microsoft, arguing that the companies profited unfairly from his early support of the artificial intelligence firm, according to a court filing made public on Friday.
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