Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said that as Tehran's defence capabilities have been upgraded drawing on past experience, contemporary diplomacy cannot rely on old tools and methods. He called the United States' measures conducted under the name "economic war" a typical example of economic terrorism, and warned any cooperation with U.S. illegal actions would have serious consequences, saying Iran will not remain helpless.

At the mid-session close Hong Kong shares were weaker: the Hang Seng Index fell 2.09% and the Hang Seng TECH Index dropped 3.84%. Internet and large-cap tech names led losses — Alibaba (09988.HK) down near 10%, Baidu (09888.HK) and Xiaomi (01810.HK) down about 4% each, Tencent (00700.HK) down nearly 3%, Meituan (03690.HK) and JD (09618.HK) also lower. Memory semiconductor, optical-communications and PCB-related stocks underperformed; MINIMAX-W (00100.HK) fell over 9% and Zhipu (02513.HK) dropped more than 8%.

A-shares gold-related stocks extended gains; Shenzhen Zhonghua A hit a third consecutive limit-up. Silver and nonferrous metals names reached daily limits, with Hengxing Technology, Hunan Silver, Guocheng Mining, Teli A and Laishen Tongling also rallying.