Defense officials have reportedly informed Mr. Trump that U.S. forces would be prepared for military action by Saturday, following the largest American military buildup in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
The United States is assembling contingency plans for a potential direct strike on Iran, deploying long-range bombers and aerial refuelling aircraft to the Middle East in recent days as part of its preparations.
Futures suggest the FTSE 100 is set to open about 46 points higher (around +0.4%) on Friday, after the index of UK large-caps finished Thursday down 0.6% at 10,627.04.
In currency markets, sterling was trading at USD 1.3444 early Friday, slightly softer than its USD 1.3455 level at Thursday’s close. The euro also edged lower, quoted at USD 1.1753 versus USD 1.1768 late Thursday, while the dollar strengthened against the yen at JPY 155.22, up from JPY 154.90.
Overnight, Wall Street closed lower, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.5% and both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipping 0.3%. Asian markets are broadly weaker this morning. Tokyo has declined 1%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is down 0.6%, and Shanghai’s SSE Composite has fallen 1.3%.
Asian markets are broadly weaker this morning. Tokyo has declined 1%, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng is down 0.6%, and Shanghai’s SSE Composite has fallen 1.3%.
South Korea’s Kospi stands out, climbing 2.2% on robust demand for defence and shipbuilding shares, marking a fresh record high.
On the commodities front, gold was higher at about USD 5,026.96 an ounce, up from USD 5,003.14.
