Stocks struggle, oil up as Trump weighs US move on Iran

Share markets in Asia struggled for direction as fears of a potential US attack on Iran hung over markets, while oil prices were poised to rise for a third straight week on the escalating Israel-Iran conflict.
Overnight, Israel bombed nuclear targets in Iran, and Iran fired missiles and drones at Israel as a week-old air war intensified with no sign yet of an exit strategy from either side.
The White House said President Donald Trump will decide in the next two weeks whether the US will get involved in the Israel-Iran war. The US President is facing uproar from some of his MAGA base over a possible strike on Iran.
Brent fell 2 per cent on Friday to $77.22 per barrel, but is still headed for a strong weekly gain of 4 per cent, following a 12 per cent surge the previous week.
"The 'two-week deadline' is a tactic Trump has used in other key decisions, including those involving Russia and Ukraine, and tariffs," said Tony Sycamore, analyst at IG.
"Often, these deadlines expire without concrete action, (similar to TACO), and there is certainly a risk of this happening again, given the complexities of the situation."
Still, a cautious mood prevailed in markets with Nasdaq futures and S&P 500 futures both 0.3 per cent lower in Asia. US markets were closed for the Juneteenth holiday, offering little direction for Asia.
The MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan edged up 0.1 per cent but was set for a weekly drop of 1 per cent. Japan's Nikkei slipped 0.2 per cent.
China's blue chips rose 0.3 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.5 per cent, after the central bank held the benchmark lending rates steady as widely expected.
In the currency markets, the dollar was on the back foot again, slipping 0.2 per cent to 145.17 yen after data showed Japan's core inflation hit a two-year high in May, which kept pressure on the Bank of Japan to resume interest rate hikes.
Investors, however, see little prospects of a rate hike from the BOJ until December this year, which is a little over 50 per cent priced in.
The US bond market, which was also closed on Thursday, started trading in Asian hours on a subdued note. Ten-year Treasury bond yield was flat at 4.389 per cent, while two-year yields slipped 2 basis points to 3.925 per cent.
Overnight, the Swiss National Bank cut rates to zero and did not rule out going negative, while the Bank of England held policy steady but saw the need for further easing and Norway's central bank surprised everyone and cut rates for the first time since 2020.
Gold prices eased 0.2 per cent to $3,363 an ounce, but were set for a weekly loss of 2 per cent.

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News.com.au

28 minutes ago

• News.com.au

Gold Digger: Central banks want EVEN MORE GOLD as boom goes on

Gold prices are sitting near record highs Central bank demand has been a big reason, topping 1000t in each of the past three years And a survey of the world's central banks shows they see that trend continuing Gold prices have absolutely sky-rocketed in the past two years, soaring from under US$2000/oz in late 2023 to more than US$3350/oz today and, at one point in April, as much as US$3500/oz. That's great news for gold equities and their investors. A sizeable portion of that price move could be flimsy, locked into safe haven demand based off temporary responses to signs of global economic and geopolitical instability – Trump's tariffs, the TACO trade (Trump Always Chickens Out – a gag from Wall Street that the Prez HATES), war in the Middle East and Ukraine. But a large driver, underwriting the gold price according to many analysts, has been demand from central banks. Sovereign buyers of bullion have hoovered up, on a net basis, around 1000t of gold in each of the past three years, well above historic levels. The eighth annual central bank reserves survey from the World Gold Council, released this week, suggests central banks are even more bullish about the commodity now than they have been at any point since it launched. Around 95% of central banks buyers expect central banks to increase their gold reserves this year, up from 81% last year, with 76% thinking gold will be a larger proportion of global reserve assets in five years compared to today, up from 62% last year. 43% of respondents have concrete plans to increase their gold reserves in the next 12 months, up from just 29% last year. That comes despite the extraordinarily high cost currently of buying gold, WGC global head of central banks and head of Asia-Pacific (ex-China) Shaokai Fan said. 'After eight years of conducting this survey, we have reached an important milestone: nearly half of the central bank respondents intend to increase their own gold holdings in the coming year. This is remarkable, especially considering how many record-high prices we've hit so far in 2025," he said. "Notably, this reflects the current global financial and geopolitical environments. Gold remains a strategic asset as the world faces uncertainty and tumult. Central banks are concerned about interest rates, inflation, and instability – all reasons to turn to gold to mitigate risk.' Drivers The desire to acquire more gold is even higher in emerging markets, with 48% of the 58 surveyed saying the plan to increase their gold reserves over the next 12 months, compared to just 21% of advanced economy respondents. 84% of EMDE (emerging markets and developing economies) who responded said inflation was behind their rationale for holding gold, with 81% pointing to the geopolitical situation. Across advanced economies, those were key factors for 67% and 60% of respondents, respectively. Those geopolitical fears are reflected also in where gold is being stored, with domestic storage of bullion up from 41% to 59% as a prepper mentality sets in. Around 73% of respondents also see moderately or significantly lower US dollar holdings in global reserves over the next five years. That could happen in lockstep with higher Euro and Renminbi holdings, as economic turmoil, US debt levels and trade unpredictability from the new US Administration prompt foreign central bankers to diversify from the universal store of value. Notably, no central bankers think their gold holdings will decrease this year, with 3% of respondents having indicated plans to sell gold in 2024 and 2023. "Taken together, these findings clearly highlight that gold sentiment within the central banking community remains positive," the report authors said. "Expectations point to continued gold buying over the next 12 months, reflecting sustained confidence in gold's strategic role amid evolving geopolitical and macroeconomic dynamics." 87% of EMDEs and 77% of advanced economy central banks pointed to gold's performance during a time of crisis as a key reason for holding gold, while 92% of advanced economy central banks say it's because of their historical position. Winners and losers Here's how ASX-listed precious metals stocks are performing: CODE COMPANY PRICE WEEK % MONTH % 6 MONTH % YEAR % YTD % MARKET CAP MRR Minrex Resources Ltd 0.009 -14% 0% 29% 0% 29% $ 10,848,675.03 NPM Newpeak Metals 0.02 82% 54% 54% 0% 82% $ 5,797,291.16 ASO Aston Minerals Ltd 0.022 0% 29% 144% 69% 144% $ 28,491,413.92 MTC Metalstech Ltd 0.13 -7% -4% -4% -45% -7% $ 27,133,811.38 GED Golden Deeps 0.021 -9% 17% -13% -48% -16% $ 3,896,765.42 G88 Golden Mile Res Ltd 0.012 0% -8% 50% 9% 33% $ 6,530,974.26 LAT Latitude 66 Limited 0.028 -24% -32% -47% 1300% -26% $ 4,015,219.74 NMR Native Mineral Res 0.2 0% 18% 441% 567% 413% $ 188,259,603.45 AQX Alice Queen Ltd 0.003 0% -40% -57% -57% -63% $ 3,748,920.20 SLZ Sultan Resources Ltd 0.005 0% -29% -17% -50% -17% $ 1,157,349.55 KSN Kingston Resources 0.13 0% 40% 76% 67% 83% $ 107,056,852.63 AMI Aurelia Metals Ltd 0.2075 -33% -30% 26% 22% 22% $ 363,903,117.60 GIB Gibb River Diamonds 0.035 9% 9% -13% -24% -13% $ 7,507,830.58 KCN Kingsgate Consolid. 2.32 4% 24% 74% 37% 81% $ 592,828,891.60 TMX Terrain Minerals 0.002 0% -20% -33% -33% -33% $ 4,497,113.20 BNR Bulletin Res Ltd 0.057 -7% -23% 46% 39% 46% $ 18,204,026.03 NXM Nexus Minerals Ltd 0.079 -5% 13% 61% 108% 76% $ 46,489,490.20 SKY SKY Metals Ltd 0.049 11% 9% -6% 53% -9% $ 32,692,345.64 LM8 Lunnonmetalslimited 0.23 10% 2% 10% 21% -8% $ 50,744,480.02 CST Castile Resources 0.062 5% -9% -17% -21% -23% $ 16,816,171.90 YRL Yandal Resources 0.1075 -10% -37% -45% -2% -39% $ 34,015,848.02 FAU First Au Ltd 0.004 14% 60% 100% 60% 100% $ 8,287,973.11 ARL Ardea Resources Ltd 0.385 -4% -8% 20% -25% 17% $ 82,061,036.85 GWR GWR Group Ltd 0.091 0% -13% 12% 5% 14% $ 29,448,205.61 IVR Investigator Res Ltd 0.032 -6% 60% 68% -36% 60% $ 49,270,766.79 GTR Gti Energy Ltd 0.004 0% 0% 0% -20% 14% $ 11,995,798.65 IPT Impact Minerals 0.0065 30% 8% -31% -57% -31% $ 25,709,644.80 BNZ Benzmining 0.44 -3% 29% 33% 226% 28% $ 70,376,347.75 MOH Moho Resources 0.004 0% -33% 0% 14% -20% $ 2,236,242.08 BCM Brazilian Critical 0.011 22% 10% 22% -35% 22% $ 14,415,865.59 PUA Peak Minerals Ltd 0.0245 17% 53% 181% 916% 216% $ 61,761,068.38 MRZ Mont Royal Resources 0.041 0% 0% -5% -33% -5% $ 3,486,221.51 SMS Starmineralslimited 0.019 -14% -27% -53% -27% -47% $ 3,530,326.41 MVL Marvel Gold Limited 0.014 -7% 0% 56% 75% 56% $ 19,504,319.84 PRX Prodigy Gold NL 0.002 0% 0% 0% -10% 0% $ 6,350,111.10 AAU Antilles Gold Ltd 0.004 0% 0% 33% 0% 33% $ 9,325,472.06 CWX Carawine Resources 0.094 0% -6% -5% -6% -6% $ 22,431,917.66 RND Rand Mining Ltd 2.12 7% 12% 36% 49% 40% $ 120,008,277.71 CAZ Cazaly Resources 0.023 21% 44% 53% 15% 64% $ 9,226,059.82 BMR Ballymore Resources 0.17 -8% 10% 31% 3% 42% $ 31,811,505.30 DRE Dreadnought Resources Ltd 0.01 -23% -23% -9% -63% -17% $ 60,954,000.00 ZNC Zenith Minerals Ltd 0.036 -8% -12% -10% -48% -10% $ 14,824,753.92 REZ Resourc & En Grp Ltd 0.019 12% 19% 6% 58% -17% $ 13,432,782.44 LEX Lefroy Exploration 0.1 -5% 28% 47% 10% 43% $ 24,842,013.80 ERM Emmerson Resources 0.13 0% 0% 76% 141% 69% $ 82,630,454.27 AM7 Arcadia Minerals 0.016 -11% -20% -16% -70% -16% $ 1,760,751.50 ADT Adriatic Metals 5.525 11% 52% 38% 39% 42% $ 1,650,437,362.24 AS1 Asara Resources Ltd 0.05 -11% 22% 127% 355% 163% $ 58,362,425.94 CYL Catalyst Metals 5.725 -15% -18% 119% 484% 122% $ 1,447,751,324.25 CHN Chalice Mining Ltd 1.5575 6% 44% 44% 17% 41% $ 632,168,530.50 KAL Kalgoorliegoldmining 0.04 -13% -5% 122% 25% 122% $ 15,258,487.08 MLS Metals Australia 0.017 -6% -6% -19% -19% -26% $ 12,388,231.91 ADN Andromeda Metals Ltd 0.012 -8% 9% 71% -29% 71% $ 45,760,116.89 MEI Meteoric Resources 0.115 -15% 10% 42% -32% 35% $ 280,423,533.84 SRN Surefire Rescs NL 0.002 100% -20% -40% -70% -32% $ 4,972,890.78 WA8 Warriedarresourltd 0.13 8% 8% 210% 160% 195% $ 135,918,297.48 HMX Hammer Metals Ltd 0.031 -3% -3% 0% -6% -6% $ 28,408,278.40 WCN White Cliff Min Ltd 0.02 -9% -31% 18% 29% 25% $ 48,267,722.92 AVM Advance Metals Ltd 0.048 0% 14% 41% 100% 41% $ 12,191,602.36 ASR Asra Minerals Ltd 0.0015 -25% -40% -50% -63% -50% $ 7,983,396.02 ARI Arika Resources 0.035 -15% 17% 35% 75% 30% $ 27,400,202.83 CTO Citigold Corp Ltd 0.003 -14% 0% -25% -25% -25% $ 9,000,000.00 SMI Santana Minerals Ltd 0.565 -7% 5% 24% 54% 16% $ 401,108,864.63 M2R Miramar 0.0035 0% 17% -13% -63% 17% $ 3,488,881.50 MHC Manhattan Corp Ltd 0.019 -14% -17% -14% -43% 0% $ 4,697,977.96 GRL Godolphin Resources 0.009 -10% 0% -33% -53% -38% $ 4,039,859.81 SVG Savannah Goldfields 0.018 -5% -22% -2% 3% -2% $ 20,548,386.70 EMC Everest Metals Corp 0.14 -7% 0% 4% 17% 4% $ 33,619,688.25 GUL Gullewa Limited 0.068 -8% -3% 21% -4% 21% $ 17,877,818.10 CY5 Cygnus Metals Ltd 0.089 -11% 25% -19% 71% -11% $ 80,006,377.07 G50 G50Corp Ltd 0.12 -14% 14% -20% -23% -23% $ 19,271,719.08 ADV Ardiden Ltd 0.15 3% 3% 15% 15% 11% $ 9,065,038.37 AAR Astral Resources NL 0.175 -3% 13% 21% 119% 30% $ 262,333,187.37 VMC Venus Metals Cor Ltd 0.115 -4% 15% 77% 51% 72% $ 21,574,155.13 NAE New Age Exploration 0.0035 -13% -13% -13% -13% 0% $ 8,117,734.22 VKA Viking Mines Ltd 0.0065 0% -7% -13% -19% -19% $ 8,735,666.87 LCL LCL Resources Ltd 0.007 0% 0% -22% -13% -30% $ 8,363,688.95 MTH Mithril Silver Gold 0.485 -8% 43% 33% 194% 21% $ 68,553,270.34 ADG Adelong Gold Limited 0.005 -17% -38% 25% -29% 11% $ 9,309,045.03 RMX Red Mount Min Ltd 0.008 -11% 0% -11% -20% -11% $ 3,719,662.37 PRS Prospech Limited 0.02 -5% -17% -33% -43% -31% $ 6,818,865.97 TTM Titan Minerals 0.35 -7% -5% 4% 0% -8% $ 96,461,111.22 AKA Aureka Limited 0.12 -4% -4% -8% -99% -11% $ 16,386,536.53 AAM Aumegametals 0.031 -9% -11% -24% -42% -26% $ 18,727,504.30 KZR Kalamazoo Resources 0.088 4% -1% 10% 4% 19% $ 19,087,235.98 BCN Beacon Minerals 0.03 7% 11% 36% 20% 36% $ 126,791,863.77 MAU Magnetic Resources 1.565 -5% -2% 39% 52% 42% $ 429,347,646.40 BC8 Black Cat Syndicate 0.85 1% 3% 49% 209% 50% $ 601,377,106.30 EM2 Eagle Mountain 0.006 20% 20% -27% -86% -33% $ 6,810,223.73 EMR Emerald Res NL 4.665 5% 10% 34% 33% 44% $ 3,024,120,122.80 BYH Bryah Resources Ltd 0.0135 -4% 238% 350% 93% 350% $ 11,309,395.79 HCH Hot Chili Ltd 0.55 -2% 15% -20% -41% -21% $ 81,861,920.46 WAF West African Res Ltd 2.175 -6% -5% 46% 51% 52% $ 2,496,359,535.81 MEU Marmota Limited 0.039 -5% -11% 5% -17% 0% $ 45,953,925.81 NVA Nova Minerals Ltd 0.35 4% 9% 25% 75% -5% $ 111,434,108.87 SVL Silver Mines Limited 0.115 -15% 29% 42% -30% 47% $ 213,573,047.04 PGD Peregrine Gold 0.16 -24% 14% 33% -27% 14% $ 13,999,877.27 ICL Iceni Gold 0.059 -31% 3% -11% -13% -17% $ 20,598,083.22 FG1 Flynngold 0.034 0% 36% 26% 26% 36% $ 12,913,443.51 WWI West Wits Mining Ltd 0.02 -26% -17% 43% 54% 43% $ 52,566,531.06 RML Resolution Minerals 0.04 18% 233% 208% 100% 233% $ 24,222,908.48 AAJ Aruma Resources Ltd 0.01 0% 0% -9% -33% -17% $ 2,775,727.14 HWK Hawk Resources. 0.015 -6% -17% -25% -58% -32% $ 4,063,941.74 GMN Gold Mountain Ltd 0.001 -50% -50% -67% -67% -67% $ 5,619,759.25 MEG Megado Minerals Ltd 0.012 0% -8% -25% 40% -29% $ 7,280,199.14 HMG Hamelingoldlimited 0.069 -17% -23% 10% -13% 8% $ 16,340,625.00 BM8 Battery Age Minerals 0.055 2% 4% -45% -61% -48% $ 6,704,050.27 TBR Tribune Res Ltd 5 2% 4% 17% 42% 17% $ 262,340,385.00 FML Focus Minerals Ltd 0.37 -6% 61% 106% 147% 118% $ 104,593,905.43 VRC Volt Resources Ltd 0.004 -11% -20% 33% -33% 33% $ 23,423,889.92 ARV Artemis Resources 0.0055 -8% -21% -39% -54% -31% $ 15,214,032.99 HRN Horizon Gold Ltd 0.57 -2% 9% 43% 104% 19% $ 79,661,957.65 CLA Celsius Resource Ltd 0.0065 -7% -7% -35% -41% -41% $ 21,948,419.16 QML Qmines Limited 0.042 5% 17% -21% -30% -22% $ 18,134,750.00 RDN Raiden Resources Ltd 0.005 -17% -29% -55% -83% -55% $ 17,254,457.21 TCG Turaco Gold Limited 0.47 -2% 21% 77% 147% 84% $ 433,911,101.28 KCC Kincora Copper 0.039 8% 22% 50% -35% 44% $ 9,419,163.52 GBZ GBM Rsources Ltd 0.006 0% -33% -14% -40% -25% $ 7,026,419.87 DTM Dart Mining NL 0.003 -14% -25% -70% -84% -67% $ 3,594,166.73 MKR Manuka Resources. 0.041 3% 21% 58% 5% 46% $ 30,842,003.75 AUC Ausgold Limited 0.725 -4% 21% 77% 96% 73% $ 253,788,176.56 ANX Anax Metals Ltd 0.007 -13% -13% -48% -77% -42% $ 6,179,652.97 EMU EMU NL 0.02 18% 0% -23% -23% -26% $ 4,224,969.36 SFM Santa Fe Minerals 0.035 -8% -5% 21% -13% 13% $ 2,912,751.56 PNR Pantoro Gold Limited 3.19 -13% -2% 111% 111% 108% $ 1,237,360,738.95 CMM Capricorn Metals 10.49 10% 20% 58% 118% 67% $ 4,431,507,241.88 VRL Verity Resources 0.021 -19% -22% -2% -57% 8% $ 6,985,586.70 HAW Hawthorn Resources 0.068 39% 24% 66% 6% 66% $ 17,755,827.49 BGD Bartongoldholdings 0.905 6% 29% 269% 223% 269% $ 200,889,359.10 SVY Stavely Minerals Ltd 0.011 -8% -8% -35% -68% -35% $ 6,528,505.12 AGC AGC Ltd 0.155 -9% 3% -3% -47% 0% $ 41,055,555.52 RGL Riversgold 0.004 -11% 0% 33% -33% 0% $ 6,734,850.37 TSO Tesoro Gold Ltd 0.025 0% -7% 19% -22% 25% $ 44,660,653.42 GUE Global Uranium 0.065 0% 8% 27% -27% 8% $ 30,013,808.42 CPM Coopermetalslimited 0.036 0% 0% -5% -49% -22% $ 2,820,803.40 MM8 Medallion Metals. 0.25 -12% -4% 158% 363% 108% $ 124,618,194.05 FFM Firefly Metals Ltd 1.075 2% 17% 18% 36% 16% $ 637,522,208.46 CBY Canterbury Resources 0.031 7% 63% 24% -33% 41% $ 6,015,785.98 SLA Solara Minerals 0.175 3% 46% 116% -30% 94% $ 10,147,344.03 SFR Sandfire Resources 11.385 0% 8% 23% 32% 23% $ 5,233,419,204.00 TAM Tanami Gold NL 0.05 9% 32% 67% 61% 67% $ 57,579,755.25 NWM Norwest Minerals 0.012 -11% 20% -30% -48% 0% $ 11,620,302.74 ALK Alkane Resources Ltd 0.72 -3% 1% 43% 38% 41% $ 439,017,871.70 BMO Bastion Minerals 0.002 27% -15% -36% -58% -36% $ 1,419,960.35 IDA Indiana Resources 0.078 3% -1% 28% 83% 28% $ 49,490,399.27 GSM Golden State Mining 0.0075 7% -17% -6% -17% -6% $ 1,955,594.41 NSM Northstaw 0.032 -5% -8% 102% 148% 102% $ 8,757,648.00 GSN Great Southern 0.024 4% 9% 71% 60% 60% $ 23,923,302.96 VAU Vault Minerals Ltd 0.4125 -4% -4% 27% -7% 25% $ 2,789,014,086.62 DEG De Grey Mining 0 -100% -100% -100% -100% -100% $ 5,915,063,112.00 THR Thor Energy PLC 0.01 -9% -9% -23% -38% -23% $ 7,107,898.35 CDR Codrus Minerals Ltd 0.037 0% -3% 95% -23% 118% $ 8,062,640.78 MDI Middle Island Res 0.021 -16% 17% 50% 62% 75% $ 6,157,913.39 WTM Waratah Minerals Ltd 0.265 -23% -13% 71% 141% 71% $ 60,713,189.16 POL Polymetals Resources 0.815 -4% 1% 1% 220% 3% $ 204,232,215.14 RDS Redstone Resources 0.0035 17% -42% 40% -30% 40% $ 3,619,935.74 NAG Nagambie Resources 0.017 -6% -6% 6% 55% -6% $ 13,656,139.85 BGL Bellevue Gold Ltd 0.935 1% 6% -20% -49% -17% $ 1,395,128,171.12 GBR Greatbould Resources 0.073 3% 20% 70% 18% 70% $ 55,536,411.26 KAI Kairos Minerals Ltd 0.0305 13% 17% 135% 190% 154% $ 76,296,453.48 KAU Kaiser Reef 0.18 0% 9% 9% 24% 13% $ 100,902,845.50 HRZ Horizon 0.049 -11% 0% 26% 36% 23% $ 123,302,133.50 CDT Castle Minerals 0.076 -14% -19% 27% -49% 27% $ 9,628,794.31 RSG Resolute Mining 0.6 5% 3% 48% 20% 52% $ 1,298,720,507.93 EVN Evolution Mining Ltd 7.855 -10% -3% 63% 116% 63% $ 15,578,504,854.48 CXU Cauldron Energy Ltd 0.01 43% 14% -7% -61% -14% $ 14,664,046.09 DLI Delta Lithium 0.175 3% -13% 6% -22% 3% $ 125,394,813.60 ALY Alchemy Resource Ltd 0.005 0% -9% -29% -38% -29% $ 5,890,381.28 NH3 Nh3Cleanenergyltd 0.03 -9% 20% 58% 173% 67% $ 16,938,143.55 OBM Ora Banda Mining Ltd 0.915 -10% -9% 42% 158% 41% $ 1,751,893,791.45 AVW Avira Resources Ltd 0.007 0% 0% -65% -65% -65% $ 1,610,000.00 LCY Legacy Iron Ore 0.009 0% 0% 0% -33% -10% $ 87,858,383.26 PDI Predictive Disc Ltd 0.3875 -7% 2% 68% 104% 68% $ 1,035,072,490.97 MAT Matsa Resources 0.061 -13% -13% 74% 110% 74% $ 44,000,871.78 ZAG Zuleika Gold Ltd 0.018 50% 50% 38% -5% 38% $ 13,353,838.69 GML Gateway Mining 0.028 -10% 0% 22% 8% 33% $ 11,855,788.56 SBM St Barbara Limited 0.325 -12% 7% 10% 51% 44% $ 341,096,597.42 SBR Sabre Resources 0.009 0% 13% -10% -47% -10% $ 3,550,157.40 STK Strickland Metals 0.14 0% 27% 63% 27% 65% $ 305,418,572.60 CEL Challenger Gold Ltd 0.086 -1% 12% 126% 51% 83% $ 177,633,790.25 GG8 Gorilla Gold Mines 0.435 -11% -17% 67% 1446% 67% $ 279,429,093.42 NST Northern Star 20.34 -5% 8% 33% 52% 32% $ 29,113,820,447.62 OZM Ozaurum Resources 0.066 -8% -14% 154% 14% 120% $ 15,120,723.62 TG1 Techgen Metals Ltd 0.024 -4% -4% -29% -14% -31% $ 3,807,977.04 XAM Xanadu Mines Ltd 0.079 1% 0% 58% 32% 61% $ 178,714,472.74 AQI Alicanto Min Ltd 0.028 -13% 0% -24% 70% -24% $ 23,748,003.33 KTA Krakatoa Resources 0.012 0% 20% 33% 9% 26% $ 6,821,474.28 ARN Aldoro Resources 0.33 10% 3% 6% 400% -13% $ 57,296,432.03 WGX Westgold Resources. 2.945 -5% 13% -1% 25% 4% $ 2,801,035,779.30 MBK Metal Bank Ltd 0.011 -15% 10% -21% -52% -27% $ 5,472,048.98 A8G Australasian Metals 0.067 -3% -3% -13% -14% -15% $ 3,878,611.58 TAR Taruga Minerals 0.008 0% -11% -20% 14% -20% $ 6,423,786.52 DTR Dateline Resources 0.079 -21% 114% 2533% 778% 2157% $ 236,251,292.67 GOR Gold Road Res Ltd 3.36 -1% 2% 64% 107% 64% $ 3,650,300,841.60 S2R S2 Resources 0.064 -14% -28% -6% -35% -4% $ 33,523,787.98 NES Nelson Resources. 0.003 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% $ 6,515,782.98 TLM Talisman Mining 0.135 -4% -10% -36% -48% -34% $ 24,481,645.37 BEZ Besragoldinc 0.056 30% 37% -16% -43% -38% $ 22,436,836.11 PRU Perseus Mining Ltd 3.555 -5% 5% 34% 51% 38% $ 4,849,508,582.72 SPQ Superior Resources 0.0035 -13% -13% -42% -50% -42% $ 9,483,930.90 PUR Pursuit Minerals 0.037 -10% -10% -66% -75% -61% $ 3,690,156.63 RMS Ramelius Resources 2.655 -6% 4% 23% 42% 28% $ 3,013,260,660.80 PKO Peako Limited 0.002 0% -20% -33% -35% -33% $ 4,463,225.88 ICG Inca Minerals Ltd 0.009 80% 80% 50% 29% 80% $ 14,187,510.56 A1G African Gold Ltd. 0.16 -3% 42% 220% 567% 191% $ 84,220,475.52 NMG New Murchison Gold 0.018 6% 20% 80% 300% 100% $ 177,315,301.93 GNM Great Northern 0.013 0% -24% -7% 8% -7% $ 2,164,807.08 KRM Kingsrose Mining Ltd 0.031 3% 0% -14% -23% -11% $ 24,112,848.61 BTR Brightstar Resources 0.5 -11% -29% 0% 33% 0% $ 241,014,510.72 RRL Regis Resources 4.705 -4% 2% 78% 170% 85% $ 3,490,307,131.08 M24 Mamba Exploration 0.012 0% -14% 0% -33% 0% $ 4,132,318.54 TRM Truscott Mining Corp 0.052 -5% -20% -33% -15% -33% $ 9,955,325.12 TNC True North Copper 0.355 13% 65% -88% -93% -88% $ 44,583,975.80 MOM Moab Minerals Ltd 0.001 0% 0% -50% -80% -50% $ 1,733,666.03 KNB Koonenberrygold 0.035 -20% -48% 192% 106% 192% $ 37,913,621.72 AWJ Auric Mining 0.175 3% -9% -51% 0% -49% $ 32,546,692.85 ENR Encounter Resources 0.26 13% 13% -13% -28% -20% $ 119,710,156.56 SNG Siren Gold 0.0505 -5% 3% -20% -42% -22% $ 10,948,530.45 STN Saturn Metals 0.385 4% 43% 97% 97% 88% $ 156,284,475.48 USL Unico Silver Limited 0.28 2% 27% 56% 93% 44% $ 122,624,251.40 PNM Pacific Nickel Mines 0.024 0% 0% 0% -17% 0% $ 10,103,834.52 AYM Australia United Min 0.003 50% 0% -25% 50% -25% $ 5,527,732.46 HAV Havilah Resources 0.18 -3% 6% -14% 0% -20% $ 62,762,414.76 SPR Spartan Resources 2.08 -6% 4% 59% 154% 48% $ 2,588,762,477.66 PNT Panthermetalsltd 0.014 0% 8% 40% -31% 27% $ 4,212,663.67 MEK Meeka Metals Limited 0.155 -11% 24% 104% 400% 101% $ 377,355,775.50 GMD Genesis Minerals 4.61 -3% 17% 81% 155% 87% $ 5,097,869,029.00 PGO Pacgold 0.067 -1% -6% -9% -36% -11% $ 9,940,386.82 FEG Far East Gold 0.16 7% 10% -11% 52% -11% $ 56,889,255.22 MI6 Minerals260Limited 0.125 -7% -14% -4% 0% -4% $ 248,079,999.96 IGO IGO Limited 3.885 -8% -6% -21% -35% -19% $ 3,066,934,642.65 GAL Galileo Mining Ltd 0.105 -19% -9% -13% -49% -16% $ 20,750,617.34 RXL Rox Resources 0.295 2% 5% 64% 111% 48% $ 216,100,888.87 PTN Patronus Resources 0.07 6% 21% 43% 25% 43% $ 114,617,846.28 CLZ Classic Min Ltd 0.001 0% 0% 0% -50% 0% $ 2,790,941.81 TGM Theta Gold Mines Ltd 0.135 -4% 13% -27% -4% -25% $ 118,722,864.51 FAL Falconmetalsltd 0.13 -7% 0% 0% -48% 13% $ 26,550,000.00 SPD Southernpalladium 0.6 0% 208% 0% 43% 0% $ 66,843,750.00 ORN Orion Minerals Ltd 0.011 0% -8% -27% -27% -27% $ 75,354,926.00 TMB Tambourahmetals 0.022 -12% -12% -4% -67% 5% $ 3,235,981.01 TMS Tennant Minerals Ltd 0.006 0% -14% -33% -70% -33% $ 6,395,342.49 AZY Antipa Minerals Ltd 0.74 -4% 35% 196% 517% 185% $ 434,657,168.25 PXX Polarx Limited 0.0075 -6% -6% 7% -32% 15% $ 17,816,257.34 TRE Toubani Res Ltd 0.29 -5% 7% 115% 57% 71% $ 74,618,436.37 AUN Aurumin 0.097 8% 45% 67% 162% 47% $ 47,448,973.82 GPR Geopacific Resources 0.0225 -6% 18% 16% 10% 13% $ 73,196,702.50 FXG Felix Gold Limited 0.145 -3% -3% 67% 174% 73% $ 59,630,786.15 ILT Iltani Resources Lim 0.225 2% -6% 25% -32% 10% $ 12,922,541.66 BRX Belararoxlimited 0.06 0% -48% -67% -69% -66% $ 9,308,947.43 TM1 Terra Metals Limited 0.048 14% 60% 118% 55% 71% $ 23,894,848.30 TOR Torque Met 0.125 -4% 26% 145% -14% 136% $ 64,854,955.88 ARD Argent Minerals 0.022 -15% 22% 29% 47% 29% $ 31,815,090.56 LM1 Leeuwin Metals Ltd 0.1325 -5% 2% 121% 128% -5% $ 12,600,798.00 SX2 Southgold Consol 7.935 5% 37% 0% 0% 0% $ 1,114,325,536.00 UVA Uvrelimited 0.09 0% -10% 6% -18% 1% $ 5,418,000.09 VTX Vertexmin 0.26 -13% 11% 41% 206% 25% $ 56,478,241.96 Zuleika Gold (ASX:ZAG) Mark Creasy backed Zuleika Gold has a bone to pick with $1.5 billion ASX gold miner Catalyst Metals (ASX:CYL) through no smaller a forum than the WA Supreme Court ... actually it's a bone that's already been picked with Vango Mining, which Catalyst acquired a couple years back. It's going to head there in October this year to find out the quantum of damages payable by Catalyst after the Supreme Court found in March 2022 that entities now owned by Catalyst had wrongfully repudiated a JV agreement which "prevented Zuleika from earning up to 50% of the beneficial interest" in the tenement hosting the K2, K1 and PHB-1 prospects and the K2 Area at its project in the Plutonic gold district. 'It has taken five long years to get to this stage but, on behalf of and for all Zuleika Shareholders, I am pleased we can finally present to the Supreme Court the significant opportunity lost to us when the Catalyst Entities breached Zuleika's rights under the BTS Agreement," Zuleika exec chair Annie Guo said. 'This includes denying Zuleika's immediate beneficial interest in 4.1% of the Tenement and K2 Area, and therefore 4.1% of the underlying gold resource, and denying Zuleika the opportunity to earn in up to a 50% interest in the Tenement and K2 Area in alignment with the terms of the BTS Agreement. 'We long ago identified the potential and prospectivity of the Tenement and K2 Area and are not surprised that – today – they are earmarked to underpin the future of the Plutonic Gold Project. 'The Court has already confirmed that Zuleika was denied its rights under the BTS Agreement – and dismissed the Catalyst Entities' appeal – so Zuleika's focus now is to ensure we receive fair value for what is owed to us. 'Zuleika will provide further updates as this long-running litigation finally reaches its conclusion.' The 81,000oz K2 underground is now a planned satellite for Catalyst's Plutonic gold mine, with Zuleika claiming for losing the right to 50% of the K2 project, and unpaid entitlements under the sale agreement and royalty deed listed at $6m, legal costs and the transfer of a 4.1% beneficial interest in the tenement and K2 Area. Catalyst meanwhile has tried to distance itself from the situation, saying the Zuleika announcement, which references incidents that happened long before it acquired Vango Mining in 2023, is just the statement of trial dates and "conveys no new or material information". It says the dates have been known to Zuleika and Catalyst since they were set on April 11. "As to why these dates have only become material to Zuleika now is not known to Catalyst," the company said. "The Board of Catalyst considers this to be nothing more than an attempt to generate publicity and exert leverage against the defendants in the context of the forthcoming Supreme Court hearing," CYL told the ASX. Cazaly was up there in the past week after starting RC drilling at the Duke of York gold prospect. The 2000m drill program will test beneath historical gold workings at the target, part of its Goongarrie gold project to the north of Kalgoorlie. Historical drill intercepts at Duke of York included strikes of 13m at 3.5g/t and 8m at 10.7g/t on the margin of mafic and sedimentary rock under the old Duke of York workings. 'I am extremely pleased to announce that drilling has commenced at Duke of York, the first of many gold targets to be tested in this highly prospective district," MD Tara French said. "Our team has worked extremely hard to obtain approvals which places us on the ground less than 3 months after exercising the option to earn up to 80% of the Goongarrie Gold project with Brightstar Resources (ASX:BTR). "It's a very exciting time to be drilling beneath historical gold workings in the eastern goldfields, and we can't wait to see the results of this first drilling campaign.'

7NEWS

39 minutes ago

• 7NEWS

Australian military deployed to help Middle East evacuees

The military is being called in to help Australians trying to leave Iran and Israel, after the US gave itself two weeks to decide on whether to join the conflict between the Middle Eastern nations. Foreign Minister Penny Wong stressed the government was not sending in the Australian Defence Force in combat roles, but only to assist citizens and residents. She said any Australians left in Iran should leave if they can after closing the Australian embassy in the capital, Tehran, and ordering all diplomatic staff to depart. 'We are sending defence assets to help Australians — they are not there for combat,' Wong said. 'I wish that we had more capacity to assist, but the difficult reality is, the situation on the ground is extremely unstable.' The defence personnel and aircraft are part of contingency plans to help Australians leave if and when the now-closed airspace in Israel and Iran reopens. Some Iranian consulate staff have been sent to the closest land crossing in Azerbaijan to help Australians still in the nation. Those attempting to leave for a neighbouring state have been warned to consider the risks, as borders may close without notice and roads are exposed to attacks. There are also different visa rules for many of the bordering nations including Armenia, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey. Australians have been advised not to travel to Afghanistan, Iraq or parts of Pakistan that border Iran. Iran and Israel have continued to trade strikes after the Israeli military began its attack a week ago in a bid to wipe out Iran's nuclear program. Overnight, US President Donald Trump, who has kept the world guessing about whether the US might join the war on Israel's side, said he would make a decision within two weeks. He noted there was a 'substantial chance' of negotiations with Iran. Trump has demanded Iran unconditionally surrender, saying he knew where Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was hiding. Iran has warned of 'all-out war' if the US joins the fray. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 639 people and wounded 1300 others, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group. Israel says Iran's retaliatory strikes have killed at least 24 people and wounded hundreds. The Australian government has repeatedly urged all parties involved to prioritise diplomacy and dialogue. 'Given what President Trump has said, there is an opportunity over the next two weeks for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy,' Senator Wong said. 'That is what we want to see and that is what the world wants to see. 'Iran must come to the table and it must stop any nuclear weapons program.' More than 2000 Australians have registered for assistance to leave Iran, up from 1500 on Thursday. The government has already helped Australians flee Israel using a border crossing to Jordan. There are still more than 1200 Australians registered for assistance to depart Israel, where the airspace is also closed.

The Advertiser

an hour ago

• The Advertiser

Trump decision 'within two weeks' on Israel/Iran war

US President Donald Trump says he will decide 'within two weeks' whether the US military will get directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran, leaving a space open for the two sides to de-escalate. Trump has been weighing up whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but US "bunker-buster" bombs. His statement was read out by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Earlier in the day, Israel's defence minister threatened Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after Iranian missiles crashed into a major hospital in southern Israel and hit residential buildings near Tel Aviv, wounding at least 240 people. Israel's military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist," Defence Minister Israel Katz said. As rescuers wheeled patients out of the smouldering hospital, Israeli warplanes launched their latest attack on Iran's nuclear program. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would "do what's best for America." Speaking from the rubble and shattered glass around the Soroka Medical Centre in Beersheba, he added: "I can tell you that they're already helping a lot." A new diplomatic initiative appeared to be underway as Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepared to travel to Geneva for a Friday meeting with counterparts from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the European Union's top diplomat. Britain's foreign secretary said he met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff at the White House to discuss the potential for a deal that could cool the conflict. "A window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution," Britain's David Lammy said in a social media post after Thursday's meeting. The open conflict between Israel and Iran erupted last Friday with a surprise wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2,000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group. Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel's air defences, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded. Israel's Home Front Command asserted that one of the Iranian ballistic missiles fired on Thursday had been rigged with fragmenting cluster munitions. A cluster warhead carries dozens of submunitions that can explode on impact, showering small bomblets around a large area. At least 80 patients and medical workers were wounded in the strike on Soroka Medical Centre, though much of the hospital building had been evacuated in recent days. Vulnerable patients had been transferred underground. Iranian officials insisted they had not sought to strike the hospital and claimed the attack hit a facility belonging to the Israeli military's elite technological unit, called C4i. Israeli airstrikes reached into the city of Rasht on the Caspian Sea early Friday, Iranian media reported. The Israeli military had warned the public to flee the area around Rasht's Industrial City, southwest of the city's downtown. But with Iran's internet shut off to the outside world, it's unclear just how many people could see the message. Iran's supreme leader has rejected US calls for surrender and warned that any US military involvement would cause "irreparable damage to them." The International Atomic Energy Agency has said that due to restrictions imposed by Iran on inspectors, the UN nuclear watchdog has lost "continuity of knowledge" about Iran's heavy water production — meaning it could not absolutely verify Tehran's production and stockpile. US President Donald Trump says he will decide 'within two weeks' whether the US military will get directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran, leaving a space open for the two sides to de-escalate. Trump has been weighing up whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but US "bunker-buster" bombs. His statement was read out by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Earlier in the day, Israel's defence minister threatened Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after Iranian missiles crashed into a major hospital in southern Israel and hit residential buildings near Tel Aviv, wounding at least 240 people. Israel's military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist," Defence Minister Israel Katz said. As rescuers wheeled patients out of the smouldering hospital, Israeli warplanes launched their latest attack on Iran's nuclear program. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would "do what's best for America." Speaking from the rubble and shattered glass around the Soroka Medical Centre in Beersheba, he added: "I can tell you that they're already helping a lot." A new diplomatic initiative appeared to be underway as Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepared to travel to Geneva for a Friday meeting with counterparts from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the European Union's top diplomat. Britain's foreign secretary said he met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff at the White House to discuss the potential for a deal that could cool the conflict. "A window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution," Britain's David Lammy said in a social media post after Thursday's meeting. The open conflict between Israel and Iran erupted last Friday with a surprise wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2,000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group. Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel's air defences, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded. Israel's Home Front Command asserted that one of the Iranian ballistic missiles fired on Thursday had been rigged with fragmenting cluster munitions. A cluster warhead carries dozens of submunitions that can explode on impact, showering small bomblets around a large area. At least 80 patients and medical workers were wounded in the strike on Soroka Medical Centre, though much of the hospital building had been evacuated in recent days. Vulnerable patients had been transferred underground. Iranian officials insisted they had not sought to strike the hospital and claimed the attack hit a facility belonging to the Israeli military's elite technological unit, called C4i. Israeli airstrikes reached into the city of Rasht on the Caspian Sea early Friday, Iranian media reported. The Israeli military had warned the public to flee the area around Rasht's Industrial City, southwest of the city's downtown. But with Iran's internet shut off to the outside world, it's unclear just how many people could see the message. Iran's supreme leader has rejected US calls for surrender and warned that any US military involvement would cause "irreparable damage to them." The International Atomic Energy Agency has said that due to restrictions imposed by Iran on inspectors, the UN nuclear watchdog has lost "continuity of knowledge" about Iran's heavy water production — meaning it could not absolutely verify Tehran's production and stockpile. US President Donald Trump says he will decide 'within two weeks' whether the US military will get directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran, leaving a space open for the two sides to de-escalate. Trump has been weighing up whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but US "bunker-buster" bombs. His statement was read out by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Earlier in the day, Israel's defence minister threatened Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after Iranian missiles crashed into a major hospital in southern Israel and hit residential buildings near Tel Aviv, wounding at least 240 people. Israel's military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist," Defence Minister Israel Katz said. As rescuers wheeled patients out of the smouldering hospital, Israeli warplanes launched their latest attack on Iran's nuclear program. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would "do what's best for America." Speaking from the rubble and shattered glass around the Soroka Medical Centre in Beersheba, he added: "I can tell you that they're already helping a lot." A new diplomatic initiative appeared to be underway as Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepared to travel to Geneva for a Friday meeting with counterparts from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the European Union's top diplomat. Britain's foreign secretary said he met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff at the White House to discuss the potential for a deal that could cool the conflict. "A window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution," Britain's David Lammy said in a social media post after Thursday's meeting. The open conflict between Israel and Iran erupted last Friday with a surprise wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2,000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group. Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel's air defences, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded. Israel's Home Front Command asserted that one of the Iranian ballistic missiles fired on Thursday had been rigged with fragmenting cluster munitions. A cluster warhead carries dozens of submunitions that can explode on impact, showering small bomblets around a large area. At least 80 patients and medical workers were wounded in the strike on Soroka Medical Centre, though much of the hospital building had been evacuated in recent days. Vulnerable patients had been transferred underground. Iranian officials insisted they had not sought to strike the hospital and claimed the attack hit a facility belonging to the Israeli military's elite technological unit, called C4i. Israeli airstrikes reached into the city of Rasht on the Caspian Sea early Friday, Iranian media reported. The Israeli military had warned the public to flee the area around Rasht's Industrial City, southwest of the city's downtown. But with Iran's internet shut off to the outside world, it's unclear just how many people could see the message. Iran's supreme leader has rejected US calls for surrender and warned that any US military involvement would cause "irreparable damage to them." The International Atomic Energy Agency has said that due to restrictions imposed by Iran on inspectors, the UN nuclear watchdog has lost "continuity of knowledge" about Iran's heavy water production — meaning it could not absolutely verify Tehran's production and stockpile. US President Donald Trump says he will decide 'within two weeks' whether the US military will get directly involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran, leaving a space open for the two sides to de-escalate. Trump has been weighing up whether to attack Iran by striking its well-defended Fordo uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and widely considered to be out of reach of all but US "bunker-buster" bombs. His statement was read out by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Earlier in the day, Israel's defence minister threatened Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after Iranian missiles crashed into a major hospital in southern Israel and hit residential buildings near Tel Aviv, wounding at least 240 people. Israel's military "has been instructed and knows that in order to achieve all of its goals, this man absolutely should not continue to exist," Defence Minister Israel Katz said. As rescuers wheeled patients out of the smouldering hospital, Israeli warplanes launched their latest attack on Iran's nuclear program. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he trusted that Trump would "do what's best for America." Speaking from the rubble and shattered glass around the Soroka Medical Centre in Beersheba, he added: "I can tell you that they're already helping a lot." A new diplomatic initiative appeared to be underway as Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi prepared to travel to Geneva for a Friday meeting with counterparts from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the European Union's top diplomat. Britain's foreign secretary said he met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff at the White House to discuss the potential for a deal that could cool the conflict. "A window now exists within the next two weeks to achieve a diplomatic solution," Britain's David Lammy said in a social media post after Thursday's meeting. The open conflict between Israel and Iran erupted last Friday with a surprise wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, top generals and nuclear scientists. At least 657 people, including 263 civilians, have been killed in Iran and more than 2,000 wounded, according to a Washington-based Iranian human rights group. Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel's air defences, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded. Israel's Home Front Command asserted that one of the Iranian ballistic missiles fired on Thursday had been rigged with fragmenting cluster munitions. A cluster warhead carries dozens of submunitions that can explode on impact, showering small bomblets around a large area. At least 80 patients and medical workers were wounded in the strike on Soroka Medical Centre, though much of the hospital building had been evacuated in recent days. Vulnerable patients had been transferred underground. Iranian officials insisted they had not sought to strike the hospital and claimed the attack hit a facility belonging to the Israeli military's elite technological unit, called C4i. Israeli airstrikes reached into the city of Rasht on the Caspian Sea early Friday, Iranian media reported. The Israeli military had warned the public to flee the area around Rasht's Industrial City, southwest of the city's downtown. But with Iran's internet shut off to the outside world, it's unclear just how many people could see the message. Iran's supreme leader has rejected US calls for surrender and warned that any US military involvement would cause "irreparable damage to them." The International Atomic Energy Agency has said that due to restrictions imposed by Iran on inspectors, the UN nuclear watchdog has lost "continuity of knowledge" about Iran's heavy water production — meaning it could not absolutely verify Tehran's production and stockpile.