China's STAR 50 Index extended gains, rising more than 10%; ChiNext Index advanced nearly 7%.

Israeli officials have shared intelligence with the US over the past two weeks claiming Iran is accelerating chemical-weapons development and considering missile or other delivery, and that the chemical threat is more urgent than Tehran’s nuclear program. US intelligence broadly assesses Iran is developing chemical capabilities but disagrees sharply on whether Iran’s leadership would use them; weapons experts say loading agents onto ballistic missiles is feasible but effective dispersal is technically challenging; Iran denies having chemical weapons. Some US officials view Israel’s warnings as pressure to push the US toward renewed large-scale military action, and Gulf states have expressed skepticism; other US officials say the threat merits serious attention. CENTCOM has drafted plans to strike Iran as early as Wednesday after the US midterm elections and expects to deploy three carrier strike groups to the Middle East, though the operational window may be short and one carrier is due back in port in early November. US intelligence assesses Iran’s threat to US interests in the region is at its highest level since the February outbreak of war, citing espionage, cyberattacks and AI-enabled voice-phishing.

On the 3rd, Iran said talks with the US have made no new progress and reiterated that Washington must fully and explicitly accept and implement seven conditions before the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened. Iran said it is battle-ready and on the highest defensive alert. Qatar, acting as mediator, said US and Iranian parties are reviewing a mediation proposal, remain willing to continue talks but significant gaps persist, and Qatari mediators expect responses to a new proposal within 36 hours. President Trump said he would not rule out military action against Iran after the US midterm elections.