Gold and silver sell-off accelerates as inflation fears grip global markets

PUBLISHED THU, MAR 19 20265:01 AM

KEY POINTS

• Gold and silver joined a broad sell-off on Thursday.

• The metals shed around 5% and 10%, respectively, as fears about the Iran war and inflation gripped global markets.

• Mining stocks and ETFs linked to gold and silver also fell.

Gold and silver joined a broad sell-off on Thursday, with the metals shedding around 5% and 10%, respectively, as fears about the Iran war and inflation gripped global markets.

At 8:43 a.m. ET, spot gold

was down 4.9% at just over $4,600 an ounce. Front-month gold futures were down 5.8% at $4,612.

Spot silver was 9.5% lower at $68.22 an ounce, while silver futures

lost 12% to settle at $68.

Mining stocks and exchange-traded funds linked to gold and silver also fell in premarket trading. The ProShares Ultra Silver ETF shed 20% ahead of Thursday’s opening bell, while the iShares Silver Trust ETF

— which was at the center of a so-called meme tradeearlier this year — was down almost 10%. Aberdeen’s Physical Silver Shares ETF was down

The biggest losses among individual mining stocks included Teck Resources, which was down 8.9%, while First Majestic Silver and Coeur Mining

fell 10% and 9.9%, respectively.

The sell-off among miners was also seen in the European trading session, with the regional Stoxx Europe Basic Resources index trading 6% lower. Shares of Fresnillo, the world’s leading silver producer and a major gold producer, were down 9.3%, while mining giant Antofagasta

was 8.2% lower.

The moves in gold and silver come amid broader risk-off sentiment, which has seen global equities and government bonds fall in tandem. European stocks moved sharply lower in early trade, while futures pricing also points to U.S. equity markets falling at the open.

Investors are monitoring the ongoing U.S.-Iran war as the conflict heads toward its third week. The war is fueling concerns about an energy shock that will add inflationary pressure to economies across the globe. Oil and gas prices spiked on Tuesday after energy facilities in Iran and Qatar were hit by strikes.

Central banks are also watching developments in the Middle East. The U.S. Federal Reserve held rates steady on Wednesday and cited “uncertain” impacts arising from the conflict. The Bank of Japan also kept interest rates steady, noting that inflation risks now are tilted to the upside due to the Iran war.

(https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/19/gold-and-silver-sell-off-as-inflation-fears-grip-global-markets.html

Typical fear tactic to get small investors to sell off, so they can buy it.

https://x.com/nypost/status/2034394107812941969?s=20

Not surprising!

US Senate rejects war powers resolution on Iran conflict

11 hours ago

The US Senate voted 47–53 to reject a war powers resolution that sought to limit US military involvement in the conflict with Iran, blocking it from advancing to the floor, NBC News reported.

Senator John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote against the measure, while Senator Rand Paul was the only Republican to support it, in a vote that largely followed party lines.

The resolution aimed to require the president to withdraw US armed forces from hostilities with Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress.

(Too late aholes, these people waste so much time and get nothing done.)

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603193656

Tehran will assert stronger role in Strait of Hormuz after war, adviser says

5 hours ago

An adviser to Iran’s leadership said the country should use the war to reshape its position in the Strait of Hormuz, according to state media on Thursday.

Mohammad Mokhber said the situation offers “one of the most important opportunities” to redefine Iran’s role in the strategic waterway.

“After the imposed war, by defining a new regime for the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will move from being under sanctions to a powerful position in the region and the world,” he said.

He added that Western powers had previously “restricted” Iran but said the outcome of the war could shift that balance.

(Serious question: If Iran leaders with seemingly 30%-50% of the leadershave the first name Mohammad, how in a large meeting, when asking questions, do they know who is supposed to respond? Must be very difficult. KEK)

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603194821

NEWSMAX

@NEWSMAX

"You just have to kill them all, and then sooner or later they're going to break."(wow profound, wtf?)

Retired Lt. General Keith Kellogg explains that the chain of command in Iran needs to break.(oh really, that’s exactly what the military has done.)

8:20 PM · Mar 18, 2026

·41.6K Views

https://x.com/NEWSMAX/status/2034424613078462841?s=20

Retired US general calls for 'thunder runs' in Strait of Hormuz

13 hours ago

RetiredLt Gen Keith Kellogg called for maximum-effort US naval and air escorts to clear Iranian missiles, drones and mines from the Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes, comparing the operation to past “thunder runs” in Baghdad andOperation Earnest Willto test and defeat resistance.

“Put aircraft above this shipping lane. You have escort ships go there as well. Get a couple ships through there, and you’re good to go," he told NewsMax on Wednesday.

“The first couple of times you’re going to get some type of hostile action… there’s risk… but we have the capacity and the capability to punch through there," he added. “It’s sort of like what we did in Baghdad… after about the third or fourth thunder run, it was pretty easy.”

"I hate to say it, but it's, you know, kind of, my son told me, kind of telling your chief, it's sort of like Whack a Mole. Everyone is there. You just kill them. And I was asked that today on another program, just have to kill them all, and sooner or later, they get a break. You know, you start at a very senior level. You keep working your way down, and finally you're gonna have people say, I want to do the job," former 82nd Airborne commander said.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603190563

(BTW, Trump has highly trained and up to date military leaders?They understand the mistakes and stupidity of the Iraq war, they don’t need an old leader that still believe Kellogg’s diplomacy or tactics work or worked. He hated the Russians and was 100% on the Ukraine terrorists. Reminder Trump took none of his advice in Ukraine, he made a lot of mistakes and the Russians wanted him out. He with the other Generals are out of sink, they still think the Iraq war was a success!)

>>24400926. He ignores that Iranians never give up, hence Trump saying they have been doing this tactic for 47 years

‘I think we kind of just won the war’ with Iran: Greg Kelly

On Monday’s “Greg Kelly Reports,” Greg commented on the latest developments regarding the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, as well as recent remarks by Iran’s foreign minister on the Strait of Hormuz

3:22

(Kelly is a little too hopeful in his analysis, that is not the only hotspots, and yes their friends will send them money. Not one of his best. 2 days ago.)

https://youtu.be/dGVzfP5oMDI

Iran FM says 'no restraint' if infrastructure hit again

1 hour ago

Iran said on Thursday its response to Israeli strikes used only a “fraction” of its capabilities and warned of a stronger reaction if its infrastructure is hit again.

“Our response… employed FRACTION of our power.The ONLY reason for restraint was respect for requested de-escalation,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X.

“ZERO restraint if our infrastructures are struck again,” he added.

Araghchi said any end to the war must address damage to Iran’s civilian infrastructure.(Hmm they are planning now for the infrastructure being rebuilt. His statements are sounding reasonable, are they admitting something? Leave it up to Israel to make things worst.)

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603197357

Wrestler’s execution raises fears for detained athletes in Iran

1 hour ago

Hooman Abedi

The hanging of a 19-year-old wrestler on Thursday intensified concerns over the fate of other detained athletes, with fears growing that more executions could follow in cases linked to protests earlier this year.

Three protesters – Mehdi Ghasemi, Saleh Mohammadi and Saeed Davoudi – were executed on Thursdayafter being accused of killing two police officers during unrest in January, according to the judiciary-linked Mizan news agency.

Mohammadi, a national-level wrestlerwho had competed internationally,denied the chargesin court and said his confession had been obtainedunder torture, according to accounts from those close to him.Members of Iran’s wrestling community had also defended him, saying he had no history of violence.

Mohammadi had represented Iran in international wrestling events, including the 2024 Saitiev Cup in Russia, where he won a bronze medal.

His execution has drawn comparisons to wrestler Navid Afkari, whose case became a symbol of the use of capital punishment following protests.

Afkari was sentenced to death and executed in Shirazafter being accused and convicted ofmurdering a security guardduring the2018Iranian protests. (The people have been protesting a long time.)

Athletes remain in custody

A growing list of athletes, coaches and referees remain detained, many linked to the recent wave of protests as well as earlier unrest.

Among those namedare footballer Mohammad Hossein Hosseini, water polo goalkeeper Ali Pishevarzadeh, marathon runner Niloufar Pas, kickboxing champion Benjamin Naghdi, teenager footballer Abolfazl Dokht, and boxer Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603191432

US says IRGC leaders hold ‘temp jobs’, Iran navy pushed ‘to bottom half’

1 hour ago

US Defense SecretaryPete Hegsethsaid on Thursday that senior roles in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and Basijhad become “temp jobs” amid ongoing strikes.

“The last job anyone in the world wants right now– senior leader for the IRGC or Basij. Temp jobs, all of them,” he said during a briefing.

He also pointed to damage to Iran’s naval forces, saying: “We’ve decided to share the ocean with Iran.We’ve given them the bottom half.”

US officials say more than 120 Iranian vessels have been damaged or sunk as part of the campaign.

(Trash talking to Iranian leaders, is kind of boldly funny! KEK)

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603195429

Wrestler’s execution raises fears for detained athletes in Iran1 hour ago

Hooman Abedi.1/2

The hanging of a 19-year-old wrestler on Thursday intensified concerns over the fate of other detained athletes, with fears growing that more executions could follow in cases linked to protests earlier this year.

Three protesters– Mehdi Ghasemi, Saleh Mohammadi and Saeed Davoudi –were executed on Thursdayafter being accused of killing two police officers during unrest in January, according to the judiciary-linked Mizan news agency.

Mohammadi, a national-level wrestlerwho had competed internationally,denied the chargesin court and said his confession had been obtainedunder torture, according to accounts from those close to him. Members of Iran’s wrestling community had also defended him,saying he had no history of violence.

Mohammadi had represented Iran in international wrestling events, including the 2024 Saitiev Cup in Russia, where he won a bronze medal.

Hisexecution has drawn comparisonsto wrestler Navid Afkari, whose case became a symbol of the use of capital punishment following protests.

Afkari was sentenced to death and executed in Shirazafter being accused and convicted of murdering asecurity guardduring the2018Iranian protests. (The people have been protesting a long time.)

Athletes remain in custody

A growing list of athletes, coaches and referees remain detained, many linked to the recent wave of protests as well as earlier unrest.

Among those namedare footballer Mohammad Hossein Hosseini, water polo goalkeeper Ali Pishevarzadeh, marathon runner Niloufar Pas, kickboxing champion Benjamin Naghdi, teenager footballer Abolfazl Dokht, and boxer Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani.

Othersinclude basketball coachPayam Vahidi, billiards coach Hamzeh Kazemi,aerobics coachNarges Heidari and former footballer Amir Reza Nasr Azadani, whose earlier arrest had already drawn international concern

Several detainees are young athletes, including Amirhossein Ghaderzadeh,19, and Abolfazl Dokht, raising alarm among campaigners who say they face similar charges and judicial processes.

Boxer Mohammad Mahshari, a bronze medalist at the 2024 Asian youth andunder-23 championships, is also reported to be in custody.

The list extends to referees and lesser-known competitors, showing howdeeply the crackdown has reached into Iran’s sporting community.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603191432

>>24401219

2/2

Pattern of executions after protest trials

Authorities accused thoseexecutedof acting on behalf of .Israeland theUnited States, an allegation frequently used in cases linked to protests.

Cases linked to protest-related violencehave repeatedly raised concerns over due process, including forced confessions, lack of access to legal representation and the exclusion of defense witnesses.

Saleh Mohammadi’s case followed that pattern, with those close to himsaying CCTV evidence did not identify himand that alibi witnesses were not allowed to testify.

Sporting community under pressure

The crackdown has reverberated across Iran’s sporting world, where athletes have increasingly become visible participants in protests.

There isno single confirmed, comprehensive number specifically for athletes killedin the January 2026 protests. However, according to compiled lists from activists and sports networks,at least 65 athletes, coaches and refereeshave been identified among those killed during a crackdown in January.

The scale of the violence remains contested. Iran International reviewed documents proving thatmore than 36,500 Iranians were killedby security forces during the January 8-9 crackdown on nationwide protests, making it thedeadliest two-day protest massacre in history, while other estimates suggest it could be significantly higher.

Earlier,more than 200 athletes signed open lettersurging theInternational Olympic Committee to take stronger actionand questioning its continued engagement with officials they say are tied to Iran’s security apparatus.

For those still in detention, Mohammadi’sexecution has deepened fearsthat similar cases could be pushed rapidly through the courts.

The combination of protest-related charges, allegations of foreign links and the use of forced confessions has left many families fearful and uncertain about the fate of detained athletes.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603191432

South Pars strike stirs debate among Iranians over impact and intent

3 hours ago.1/2

Messages sent to Iran International and posts on social media showed a split reaction to Wednesday’s strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, with some welcoming the hit on state-linked assets and others warning of civilian costs.

Messages sent to Iran International and posts on social media were divided over Wednesday’s strike on the South Pars gas field in southern Iran, with somewelcoming the hit on state-linked assets and others warning of civilian costs.

US President Donald Trump said Israel had struck Iran’s South Pars gas field “out of anger” over developments in the Middle East, describing the damage as limited and warning there would be no further attacks unless Iran targeted Qatar again.

The strike marked a shift in a conflictthat has spread across the Persian Gulf, disrupting energy flows after Iranian missiles targeted facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Strike seen as blow to state-linked networks

Some messages sent to Iran Internationalframed the attack as a setback for institutionstied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

“Israel, by hitting South Pars, saved us from more theft… the money was turned into bullets fired at our children,” one citizen wrote.

Another, who said hehad worked on projects in the field, downplayed the long-term impact.

“Even with the complete destruction of all 24 gas refineries…they will return to production in less than three months,” he wrote, adding that supply lines from offshore platforms would shut automatically and protect reserves.

A separate message from anengineer challenged concernsabout offshore facilities.

“The platforms are not even fully operationalbecause of sanctions… after the Islamic Republic,they can be rebuilt better,” he wrote, contrasting them with higher-quality installations on the Qatari side.

Others shifted the focus away from infrastructure entirely.

“The main infrastructure was the young people they took from us… the rest can be rebuilt with better technology.”

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603199374

>>24401323

2/2

Social media postsechoedthat line in sharper language.“Don’t worry about infrastructure,” one post read. “What infrastructure are you talking about?

What life was left that needed infrastructure?”it added.

Concerns overcivilian impact

Other messages cautioned that strikes on energy infrastructurewould translate directly into hardship for civilians.

“Don’t look at infrastructureso simply,” one user wrote.“Lack of electricity and gas means death – cold, hunger, medicine shortages.”

Another post rejected attacks on non-military targets. “Hitting Iran’s infrastructure by any side is condemnable. It belongs to all Iranians,” the message read.

Some called forlimiting strikes strictly to military-linked targets. “Please just hit those responsible and leave non-military infrastructure alone.”

One message also questioned the timing.“Hitting South Pars at this moment is not the last and best solution,” it read.

Back to corruption and rebuilding

Even among those critical of the strike, some framed the debate throughlong-standing economic grievances.

“If infrastructure belonged to the people, no one would be searching in trash for food.”

Another argued that damaged facilities could ultimately be replaced.“That worn-out infrastructure… will be rebuilt better – but those lives won’t return,” the user wrote referring to thousands of people killed during the January protests.

Others pointed to historical reconstruction. “Germany and Japan were flattened in World War II – where are they now?” one user said.

Across the exchanges, a recurring thread linkedboth support for and opposition to the strike back to mistrust of the Islamic Republic, with many portraying thecountry’s energy wealth as mismanaged or diverted, and arguing thatany future recovery depends less on infrastructure than on political change.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603199374

Iran International English

@IranIntl_En

An attack struck the South Pars petrochemical facilities in Asaluyeh in southern Iran, videos sent to Iran International show.

8:48 AM · Mar 18,

https://x.com/IranIntl_En/status/2034250485822111820?s=20

House Foreign Affairs Chairman meets GCC, Jordan envoys on Iran attacks

16 hours ago. 3/18/26

==Republican Representative and Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast on Wednesday met with ambassadors from the Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan to discuss Iran's attacks on more than a dozen nations since Operation

House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority

@HouseForeignGOP

==Today, Chairman

@RepBrianMast

hosted ambassadors from the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to discuss the ongoing situation regarding Iran==.

Since President Trump launched Operation Epic Fury to eliminate Iran’s terrorist threat, the Islamic regime has attacked more than a dozen nations.

America stands with our partners in the region in the face of this unacceptable campaign of terror. We will not stop until the job is done.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603195416