Spot gold breached $4,630/oz, up 0.59% intraday.

Tehran international relations researcher Mosen Farahani said Washington’s sanctions and blockade are being treated by Iran as acts of war, with the blockade viewed as part of that war and requiring an Iranian response. He said countries including the UAE, Turkey, Iraq and Pakistan have trimmed trade with Iran under US pressure but will not fully sever ties, adding the UAE’s cuts were driven entirely by US pressure. Farahani said Iran adopts a cautious stance and seeks to ensure its positions conform with international resolutions.

On Aug. 23 the US Postal Service issued a rule requiring states to submit lists of mail‑ballot applicants and to place unique barcodes containing voter name and address on outgoing and return ballot envelopes for verification and tracking. USPS said the collected data will be kept separate from state voter rolls and used to assist enforcement of federal law. The rule is currently enjoined by the courts and will not take effect until the injunction is lifted. The change comes ahead of midterm elections that will determine control of both chambers; the US Supreme Court in June rejected a Republican emergency request, and some local jurisdictions continue to count ballots postmarked by election day even if delivered late.