Al Arabiya reported Qatar said it hopes US-Iran talks can reach a durable, comprehensive agreement.

Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) prices have jumped this year, with a ~400 kg bag trading above 25,000 yuan versus about 10,000 yuan a year ago. Demand remains robust: finished-goods warehouses are full and more than 90% of output is supplied to leading new-energy vehicle makers, which account for the bulk of order growth. Producers point to strong NEV and energy-storage exports as the main demand driver. Upstream costs are also pushing prices higher: LFP is made from iron phosphate, lithium carbonate and glucose, with iron phosphate representing roughly 30% of raw-material cost; iron phosphate has risen sharply year-to-date, lifting overall LFP production costs.

Saudi outlets Hadath and Al Arabiya report the US, Iran and Pakistan have begun bilateral and trilateral contacts. Iran says the first formal round of talks in Switzerland will take place at 11:30 GMT (19:30 Beijing time).