|

US Pompeo: US "won't allow" Iran to build nuclear weapons - Reuters

As reported by Reuters, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated on Wednesday that the US is aware of reports that Iran plans to increase its uranium enrichment capacity, and that Washington will not allow Iran to build nuclear weaponry.

Pompeo, one of the Trump administration staffers responsible for helping the US pull out of the Iran nuclear deal that has left Europe, Russia, and China scrambling to keep the deal together and causing the US to rub allies the wrong way by trying to strong-arm allies into abandoning trade with Iran under threat of trade sanctions, has noted that the US is watching Iran closely following reports that Iran is working on expanding its uranium-enrichment processes, despite still appearing to negotiate upholding the Iran deal with the remaining participants.

“We’re watching reports that #Iran plans to increase its enrichment capacity. We won’t allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon,” Pompeo said on Twitter. He added that “Iran is aware of our resolve.”

 - Reuters

Few details on what the US would do to block Iran have been forthcoming, as the US is already re-imposing former heavy sanctions and penalties following their pull-out from the Iran deal.

Author

Joshua Gibson

Joshua joins the FXStreet team as an Economics and Finance double major from Vancouver Island University with twelve years' experience as an independent trader focusing on technical analysis.

More from Joshua Gibson
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD bulls seem hesitant near 0.6950

AUD/USD attracts some buyers for the second straight day, though it remains confined within Friday's broader range amid mixed cues. The US PCE data and the US NFP report released last week tempered October Fed hike bets, dragging US bond yields away from multi-year highs and keeping US Dollar bulls on the back foot. However, geopolitical uncertainty is a tailwind for the safe-haven buck, while the RBA's cautious outlook caps the Aussie.

USD/JPY remains confined in a range below 158.00

USD/JPY holds steady around 157.75 during the Asian session on Monday, trading within a one-week-old range. Against the backdrop of soft US PCE data, the US NFP report, released on Friday, tempers October Fed rate-hike bets and drags US bond yields away from multi-year highs. Furthermore, hawkish BoJ expectations amid looming intervention risks support the Japanese Yen, capping the pair. However, geopolitical uncertainty acts as a tailwind for the safe-haven buck and limits the downside.

Gold trades with positive bias around $4,150; upside seems capped

Gold attracts some dip-buyers at the start of a new week, though it remains confined in a familiar range held over the past week or so. Against the backdrop of soft US PCE data, Friday's weak US NFP report tempered bets of an October Fed rate hike. This, in turn, drags US bond yields away from multi-year highs and benefits the non-yielding bullion. The US Dollar, however, draws support from geopolitical uncertainties and could act as a headwind for the precious metal.

Week ahead: Fed minutes in the spotlight amid bond market rout
The first full week of October and the final quarter of the year get underway with little fanfare in terms of the economic agenda. But far from being short on excitement, the coming week will test market nerves, as government bond yields continue to soar on growing worries that the energy crisis will only get worse, fuelling inflation.
CFTC Report: Speculators turn more defensive as Oil exposure falls
The week in one sentence: During the week leading up to September 29, long positions in crude oil were significantly reduced, while short positions in the Canadian Dollar went up. In addition, the positioning of the Australian Dollar and the Japanese Yen declined, while Coffee buying stood out against a more general background of defensiveness.
The Euro is near a one-year low: Inflation could trigger its rebound, not its fall

EUR/USD has fallen to its lowest level since May 2025. The pair hit 1.1312 on Wednesday and trades well below the January peak of 1.2082. The decline reflects a powerful combination of US Dollar strength, geopolitical uncertainty and renewed concerns about Europe's exposure to higher energy prices.