[MARKET UPDATE] Spot XAU briefly extends beyond USD 4600/oz and USD/JPY at session lows of 157.57; recent headlines point to increased presence of US planes near Iranian airspace

The movement of spot XAU above USD 4600/oz and the USD/JPY reaching session lows amid reported increases in US military presence near Iranian airspace suggests rising geopolitical tensions.

Newsquawk StaffPublished 12 Jan 2026, 01:17 UTCOn the live feed at 00:57 UTC — 3 more headlines followed before this page went public

Newsquawk headlinesUTC

01:16

PBoC sets USD/CNY mid-point at 7.0108 vs exp. 6.9849 (Prev. 7.0128); strongest CNY fix since September 30th 2024

01:05

US Senator Tillis criticises the move against Fed Chair Powell, and says he will “oppose the confirmation of any nominee for the Fed—including the upcoming Fed Chair vacancy—until this legal matter is resolved

00:57

[MARKET UPDATE] Spot XAU briefly extends beyond USD 4600/oz and USD/JPY at session lows of 157.57; recent headlines point to increased presence of US planes near Iranian airspace

00:54

An increase in the number of US planes near Iranian airspace, according to Israel's Channel 14

00:52

Australian Resources Minister King says Australia is to have an operational critical minerals reserve by year-end

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Context

This escalation can drive safe-haven buying in gold while negatively impacting risk-sensitive currencies like the JPY. Traders should monitor developments closely as they could affect broader market sentiment and asset flows.

All markets · last 90 days

Recent headlines that moved markets

FX/9 Sept · 15:01 UTC

US Treasury Buyback: Treasury to buy back a maximum of USD 6bln in 10-20year Treasuries on Thursday (vs guidance for at least USD 4bln).

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ENERGY/8 Sept · 19:50 UTC

Iran launched an attack against US Navy ships on Monday that the US military has yet to acknowledge, WSJ reports, citing US officials.

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EQUITIES/8 Sept · 05:24 UTC

Saudi Energy Minister says a number of energy facilities and utilities were hit; are temporarily halting some operations.

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ENERGY/8 Sept · 05:23 UTC

Saudi Energy Minister says a number of energy facilities and utilities were hit; are temporarily halting some operations.

Brent Nov'26, after we published+1.0%

ENERGY/3 Sept · 08:03 UTC

Russian President Putin says that Russia and Ukraine should agree first; he notes that there is an opportunity to reach a peace agreement.

with Brent Nov, after we published−1.3%

EQUITIES/3 Sept · 04:54 UTC

North Korea stripped references to "peaceful unification" with South Korea from the charter of its ruling Workers' Party of Korea, according to Yonhap.

Equity indices, after we published−3.3%

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