Iranian parliament speaker Ghalibaf: If our security is not guaranteed, no infrastructure will be safe. The security of the Strait of Hormuz depends on the absence of US forces in the region.

Japan's imports rose 25.4% YoY in June to a record ¥11.3 tln (~$69.3 bln), above the 21% consensus and the fastest pace since Nov 2022. Crude oil import volumes fell 13.7% YoY but import values jumped 59.3% YoY and yen-denominated unit prices hit a record high, signaling inflation pressures are driven more by exchange-rate effects than demand. That implies yen appreciation would do more to ease import-cost pressure than near-term changes in oil demand. On the export side, AI-related data‑center demand is providing growth support that could offset some inflation risk. The combination points to a BOJ preference for cautious, gradual tightening rather than abrupt policy tightening; markets expect the BOJ to hold rates next week while retaining a tightening bias.

Hamas calls on states backing negotiations to pressure Israel to implement the agreement and move to the next phase.