US President Donald Trump has stated that American forces are prepared to strike Iran again at any moment, following a series of recent military exchanges in the region. Speaking at the White House, Trump claimed that Iran is attempting to rebuild radar systems, missile infrastructure, and mine-laying capabilities in the aftermath of the US assault.

The President described the recent American attack on Iranian positions as extremely intense, noting that it destroyed all newly deployed equipment that Tehran had attempted to place along the coast of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump emphasized that the US has full control over the strategic waterway, with large numbers of vessels carrying millions of barrels of oil transiting daily without significant disruption. He acknowledged that drones are occasionally shot down but insisted the situation remains firmly under American management.

In a separate development, the United States has formalized a significant energy partnership with Venezuela. Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez met with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright in Caracas, after which the two nations signed multiple cooperation agreements involving Chevron Corporation and other American companies for oil expansion projects. Trump announced on social media that the deal grants the US majority control over more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela's proven oil reserves.

Rodríguez indicated that the petroleum agreement will remain in effect for 25 years, with the objective of increasing crude production to 1.5 million barrels per day while preserving Venezuela's sovereignty over its natural resources. Meanwhile, Iranian military officials have dismissed the effectiveness of recent US operations, with Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Deputy Commander Ali Fadavi stating that American forces deployed equipment more than ten times larger than Iran's but failed to achieve their stated objectives, particularly in the Hormuz theater and other recent confrontations.

Fadavi claimed that the recent clashes have shattered the long-held perception of American military superiority, noting that senior US military leaders now recognize the pressure exerted by Iran's strategic and military capabilities. He added that Iran's production capacity for advanced drones and missiles now exceeds domestic defense requirements, with output reaching several times the volume previously fired at enemy targets, while development of new air defense systems continues to progress.

In a separate financial development, the Dutch central bank has relocated approximately 86 tonnes of gold reserves from the United States and Canada to London. According to an official statement from De Nederlandsche Bank, the transfer occurred between March and August of this year as part of a risk diversification strategy aimed at crisis preparedness. Around 59 tonnes were moved through market transactions, with gold sold in New York and repurchased in London, while more than 27 tonnes were physically transported to Zeist in the Netherlands, with an equivalent quantity of internationally recognized gold subsequently moved from Zeist to London.

The central bank explained that London serves as the world's premier hub for physical gold trading, offering superior liquidity that enables rapid transactions during emergencies. Gold stored in New York and Ottawa cannot be accessed as quickly or directly in such scenarios. Local media reports suggest that the Dutch central bank has grown increasingly concerned about tensions between Europe and the United States since Trump's return to the presidency, with officials having previously warned that Washington could easily block Dutch payment transactions, prompting repeated calls to reduce dependence on America.

As of year-end 2025, the Netherlands held total gold reserves of 612.4 tonnes, distributed across Zeist, London, New York, and Ottawa. Following the recent adjustment, 30.8% of the reserves are now stored in Zeist, 32.1% in London, with New York and Ottawa each holding 18.5%. Gold prices have come under significant downward pressure in the Chinese futures market, with Shanghai gold contracts reaching their lowest level in nearly a month during Wednesday trading.

According to market analysis from Everbright Futures, the precious metals sector has shifted its trading logic from expectations of reduced Federal Reserve rate hikes to renewed expectations of monetary tightening alongside rising inflation concerns driven by escalating Middle East tensions. Following Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh's hawkish signals at the Jackson Hole symposium, markets have substantially increased the probability of a September rate hike, with Treasury yields and the US dollar index strengthening in tandem, raising the opportunity cost of holding precious metals and triggering the recent sharp correction in prices.

The renewed US-Iran conflict has driven oil prices sharply higher, intensifying inflation expectations and reinforcing bets on a September rate increase, according to analysts at Shenyin & Wangu Futures. The impact of Fed monetary policy has temporarily overshadowed gold's traditional safe-haven appeal, explaining the unusual divergence where geopolitical risk escalates but gold prices decline. However, longer-term support factors remain intact, including US debt sustainability concerns, erosion of dollar credibility, sustained central bank buying, and net inflows into gold ETFs, all of which continue to provide fundamental support for prices.

Market participants are closely monitoring the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting scheduled for September 17, as well as the upcoming US non-farm payroll report due Friday. The strength of these employment figures will serve as a critical barometer for validating US economic resilience and adjusting expectations for Fed rate policy. If August inflation and employment data surprise to the upside, particularly with a rebound in price readings, or if US-Iran tensions again push oil prices higher, the probability of a rate hike will continue to rise and gold is likely to extend its correction. Conversely, cooling rate hike expectations would pave the way for a phase of recovery in precious metals.