Mr. Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, once again threatened the United States in his speech today. He said that "the recent sedition was a coup" and that the Islamic Republic is not afraid of US threats and will not be pressured. Referring to domestic protests, he described the recent event as a "coup" and emphasized that the Islamic Republic will not start a war, but will deliver a firm and extensive response to any attack. He also warned that if the United States starts a war, the conflict will turn into a regional war.

While negotiations are ongoing, both sides (Iran and the United States) are not refraining from military threats. The commander-in-chief of Iran’s army warned that if the enemy "makes a mistake," Tehran may target Israel. These remarks come amid growing concerns about the possibility of a US military strike against Iran. Iranian officials are also preparing for a potential confrontation, including converting underground parking lots into shelters and preparing a mass burial site for the "temporary burial of invading US soldiers." This comes as Iran’s foreign minister emphasized in a social media post that Tehran is ready to accept a "fair and equitable nuclear deal" that ensures "no nuclear weapons" and guarantees the lifting of sanctions.

Gold and silver fell by 7 percent and 11 percent respectively on the first trading day of the week, and the decline is still ongoing. The price drop began after the unveiling of the new Federal Reserve chair. Mr. Kevin Warsh, who is often associated with hawkish monetary policy views, surprised markets. Morgan Stanley strategists also argue that despite policies aimed at weakening the dollar to support industrial competitiveness, the recent pace of dollar movement has likely been undesirable for the government.

China’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) returned to contraction territory in January 2026. The manufacturing index fell to 49.3 and the services index declined to 49.4, indicating simultaneous weakness in both domestic and external demand. This decline has intensified doubts about the effectiveness of the government’s recent support measures and shows that China’s economy continues to face persistent challenges in household demand and the property sector.