US counterterrorism chief Joe Kent resigned from his position, challenging the administration's narrative by stating Iran posed no "imminent threat" to America. His departure comes amid ongoing debates about US policy toward Tehran. Kent's comments directly contradict previous official assessments that emphasized the danger posed by Iranian activities in the region.

Chinese markets showed weakness in early trading as the CSI 300 index shed 0.3%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng edged down 0.1%. The offshore renminbi weakened against the dollar to Rmb6.88, reflecting continued pressure on the Chinese currency. These declines occurred despite broader Asian market optimism fueled by artificial intelligence sector momentum.

Taiwan led regional gains with the Taiex rising 1.4%, while South Korea and Japan posted impressive advances of 3.8% and 2.2%, respectively. However, global oil prices fell with Brent crude dropping 1% to $102.4 per barrel. The divergent performance highlights how different regional markets are responding to varying economic signals and sector-specific opportunities.