Safe haven Japanese yen and Swiss franc gain after weekend Iran strikes
#Iran strikes #safe haven currencies #yen #Swiss franc #oil prices #Middle East #currency markets #geopolitical risk
📌 Key Takeaways
- Safe haven currencies yen and franc strengthened after US-Israel strikes on Iran
- Euro fell to its lowest level against Swiss franc since 2015
- Oil prices jumped approximately 10% following the attacks
- Gulf equities fell and Kuwait suspended trading due to regional instability fears
📖 Full Retelling
The safe haven Japanese yen and Swiss franc strengthened while the euro weakened as currency trading resumed on March 1, 2026, following weekend strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The euro dropped 0.34% to $1.1776 compared with around $1.18 in late New York trade on Friday, and also fell 0.5% on the Swiss franc to 0.9039, its lowest since 2015. The dollar slipped 0.26% to 155.65 yen against the Japanese currency, though the greenback strengthened against sterling and the Australian dollar. The strikes and potential Iranian retaliation have sent shockwaves across the Middle East, impacting sectors from shipping to air travel to oil, with analysts warning of rising energy costs and disruption to business in the Gulf, a strategic waterway and global trade hub. Energy markets are expected to open sharply higher on Monday in Asia, with traders reporting oil is already up around 10% in over-the-counter markets. Safe haven gold is also likely to jump while stocks are expected to open lower, with most Gulf equities falling on Sunday and Boursa Kuwait suspending trading after Iranian retaliatory attacks across nearby U.S. targets in Gulf cities fanned fears of prolonged regional instability.
🏷️ Themes
Currency Markets, Middle East Tensions, Energy Prices
📚 Related People & Topics
Middle East
Transcontinental geopolitical region
The Middle East is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, the Levant, and Turkey. The term came into widespread usage by Western European nations in the early 20th century as a replacement of the term Near East (both were in contrast to the Far East). The term ...
Swiss franc
Currency of Switzerland and Liechtenstein
The Swiss franc, or simply the franc, is the currency and legal tender of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It is also legal tender in the Italian exclave of Campione d'Italia, which is surrounded by Swiss territory. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) issues banknotes and the federal mint Swissmint issues c...
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Iran
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Donald Trump
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Israel
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Mike Huckabee
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Tucker Carlson
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Original Source
try{ var _=i o; . if(!_||_&&typeof _==="object"&&_.expiry Middle East tensions rise as Iran promises retaliation $100+ oil back in play if Hormuz disruption worsens: analysts Wait for a 10% drop in the S&P 500 before buying the dip, Barclays says U.S. dollar seen strengthening as U.S.-Israel strikes intensify (South Africa Philippines Nigeria) Safe haven Japanese yen and Swiss franc gain after weekend Iran strikes By Reuters Stock Markets Published 03/01/2026, 01:18 PM Updated 03/01/2026, 01:24 PM Safe haven Japanese yen and Swiss franc gain after weekend Iran strikes 0 Euro US Dollar 0.14% Gold Spot US Dollar 1.75% Swiss Franc Euro 0.55% Japanese Yen US Dollar 0.05% US Dollar Australian Dollar -0.16% US Dollar British Pound -0.03% GC 1.03% CL 2.78% LONDON, March 1 - The safe haven Swiss franc and Japanese yen strengthened, while the euro slid as currency trading resumed after a weekend that saw the United States and Israel launch their most ambitious attacks on Iran in decades, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The euro dropped 0.34% to $1.1776 compared with around $1.18 in late New York trade on Friday. It also fell 0.5% on the Swiss franc to 0.9039, its lowest since 2015. The dollar slipped 0.26% to 155.65 yen, though the greenback strengthened on sterling and the Australian dollar. U.S. and Israeli strikes -- and Iranian retaliation -- have sent shockwaves across the Middle East, and through sectors from shipping to air travel to oil, amid warnings of rising energy costs and disruption to business in the Gulf, a strategic waterway and global trade hub. The reaction in energy markets will be a major driver of how stocks, bonds and currencies trade in response to developments in Iran. Analysts expect oil to open sharply higher on Monday in Asia -- traders say it is already up around 10% in over the counter markets. Safe haven gold is also likely to jump, while stocks are expected to open lower. Most Gulf equities fell on Sunday and Boursa Kuwait suspe...
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