Iran's Foreign Ministry said Araghchi briefed Pakistan's foreign minister on progress in an Iran-Oman understanding to identify appropriate routes for safe vessel passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and on Iran's interactions with the U.S. via Qatar.

Germany Sep IFO Business Expectations 90.4; consensus 89.3; prior 89.1.

White House NEC Director HASSETT on Wednesday criticized recent Federal Reserve officials advocating further rate hikes, saying additional tightening is worrying with core inflation near 2% and asking “why raise rates.” He questioned comments from officials not appointed by Trump and said Fed Chair KEVIN WARSH is running a “highly politicized” Fed, calling restoration of the central bank’s independence a key priority. HASSETT also criticized senior Fed officials remaining in post after leaving leadership roles, naming Powell and Barr as departures from past transition norms. Several Fed officials have sent hawkish signals recently: Barr said further hikes may be needed to bring inflation back to 2%, and Collins and Musallam also expressed support for additional tightening. The Fed’s latest projections show 16 officials expect at least one more rate hike this year.