CUSTOMS: China imported 105.658 mln tonnes of iron ore and concentrates in October, down from 109.817 mln tonnes in September.

Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei said Seoul should refrain from deploying military forces to the region or joining maritime operations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and avoid intervening in an already complex issue. He warned Iran does not want countries beyond the US, Israel and some of their allies to side with them or become accomplices to months-old military aggression, and urged South Korea and other states to avoid actions that would further complicate regional tensions.

ECB Governing Council member Moulin said the ECB is seeing positive signs in energy prices.