China's Foreign Ministry said on July 23 that Foreign Minister Wang Yi had no scheduled meetings with the Japanese side during his visit to Manila.

Helaba analysts said an escalation in the Arabian Gulf and higher energy prices are unlikely to reassure central bankers ahead of the ECB policy decision later today. They see no clear sign of an imminent rate hike and are waiting for market signals to judge whether September will deliver tightening; money markets currently price a 21 bps ECB hike in September. Helaba expects the ECB’s statement wording — that the Governing Council will not pre-commit to a specific rate path — to remain materially unchanged and the bank to continue deciding on a meeting-by-meeting basis.

Iran's deputy foreign minister told ambassadors and chargés from 25 European countries that recent US military action had gained no strategic benefit and instead threatens regional and global peace and security. He urged European states to uphold the UN Charter and international law and to condemn what Tehran called 'aggression' against Iran. Tehran said some European countries, including Spain, have not followed the US position and have taken different approaches. It warned that any provision of bases or territory to the United States would be considered participation in the conflict. Iran added it inflicted heavy damage on the 'invaders' during a prior 40-day war and will continue to defend national interests in any new round of military operations.