Navigating U.S.-Iran Conflict Dynamics.

Executive Summary: The Geopolitical Precious Metals Catalyst

The U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities (Operation Midnight Hammer) have ignited a complex chain reaction across precious metals markets. While initial gold price reactions appear modest (+0.5% to $3,385-$3,395) , we identify three structural shifts accelerating beneath the surface:

1. Central Bank Hedging : 16 consecutive years of net gold purchases now accelerating as Treasury dumping hits $48B since March

2. Supply Disruption Risks : Critical choke points like the Strait of Hormuz (handling 33% of global oil shipments) face Iranian retaliation threats

3. Institutional Positioning : Gold ETF inflows hit $5.4B YTD while silver ETF demand quadruples in Japan

I. The Conflict Timeline: From Nuclear Sites to Market Turbulence

June 21-23, 2025 Escalation Sequence:

- Operation Midnight Hammer : U.S. B-2 bombers and submarine-launched missiles destroy Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear facilities

- Iranian Counterstrikes : Missile launches targeting U.S. bases in Qatar, Kuwait, and Iraq

- Israeli Involvement : Bombing of Evin Prison in Tehran marks most intense attack on Iranian capital

- Market Response: Gold spikes to $3,395 while oil crashes 8% to $68.51 on demand destruction fears

Table: Historical Middle East Conflict Impact on Gold

| Conflict | Gold Initial Move | 6-Month Performance | Key Catalyst |

| 1973 Oil Crisis | +127% | +78% | OPEC embargo |

| 1990 Gulf War | +5.2% | -3.1% | Supply fears |

| 2025 U.S.-Iran | +0.5% (so far) | Fides projection: +24% | Nuclear escalation + dollar vulnerability |

II. Gold’s Asymmetric Opportunity: Beyond the Headline Numbers

1. The Fed Put in Play

- Fed Governor Bowman’s dovish pivot (open to July rate cuts if inflation contained) has real yields collapsing to 1.98%

- Historical precedent: Gold outperformed equities by 9% during 2019-2020 Fed pauses

- Fides Analysis : The PCE inflation data (due June 28) will be the catalyst for formalizing the easing cycle gold options show heavy $3,500 call skew

2. Fiscal Dominance Risk

- U.S. debt-to-GDP at 120% with $1 trillion annual interest costs

- Moody’s May 2025 downgrade follows S&P (2011) and Fitch (2023), eroding dollar credibility

- Critical Threshold : 0.5% reallocation from U.S. assets to gold = $273B demand (2,500 tonnes) – enough for $6,000 gold

3. Physical Market Dislocation

- Chinese premiums surge to $39/oz over spot

- U.S. Mint caps American Eagle production at 7,500 units amid supply squeeze

- LBMA lease rates spike to 4.5% – highest since 1999 liquidity crisis

III. Silver: The Stealth Bull Market

1. Industrial Squeeze Dynamics

- Solar PV/EV demand now consumes 83% of annual mine supply (680M oz)

- 2025 deficit projected at 149M oz – 4th consecutive shortfall

- Heterojunction solar cells use 22mg silver/watt (2× legacy tech)

2. Technical Breakout Confirmed

- Silver breaches $36.37 – highest since 2012

- Gold/silver ratio at 94:1 vs 60:1 historical mean → 45% upside potential to $45 at mean reversion

IV. Central Banks: The Silent Accumulators

Strategic Shifts Accelerating:

- De-Dollarization Blueprint : BRICS nations testing gold-backed trade settlement mechanisms

- Treasury Exodus : $48B dumped since March as gold reserves now equal 18% of U.S. public debt vs 13% in 2015

- Covert Buying : China’s reported 13-tonne Q1 purchase estimated at 2-3× actual volume

“ Ongoing apprehension over trade and U.S. fiscal deficits may well divert more central bank purchases away from U.S. Treasuries to gold ” – Bank of America Global Research

V. Fides Strategic Framework: Three Conflict Scenarios

Table: Precious Metals Response Matrix

| Scenario | Probability | Gold Target | Silver Target | Key Triggers |

| De-escalation | 20% | $3,300 | $34.50 | Ceasefire agreement; Strait of Hormuz remains open |

| Contained Strikes | 60% | $3,800 | $38.50 | Tit-for-tat attacks without major supply disruption |

| Full Escalation | 20% | $4,200+ | $45+ | Hormuz closure; U.S. boots on ground; oil >$100 |

Portfolio Implementation:

1. Core Holding : 7-10% physical gold (allocated Zürich/Singapore vaults)

2. Tactical Silver : Miners (SILJ) + physical ETPs to capture industrial/geopolitical double boost

3. Optionality : December $4,000 gold calls funded by $3,300 put sales

4. Currency Hedge : SGD-denominated gold contracts to bypass dollar weakness

VI. The New Reality: Permanent Geopolitical Premium

The U.S.-Iran confrontation isn’t an isolated event, it’s the manifestation of a fragmenting global order where:

- Dollar Weaponization accelerates reserve diversification

- Supply Chain Fragility makes physical metal ownership non-negotiable

- Inflation Regime Shift : Tariffs add 2.3% to CPI, making Fed’s 2% target obsolete

"When capital rotates, it moves first at glacial speed, then suddenly like a thunderclap. The 0.5% reallocation isn’t a forecast, it’s a mathematical inevitability." — Fides Global Bullion Research

Immediate Action: Repatriate 30% of LBMA holdings to non-aligned vaults before August sanctions deadline. Position for silver’s catch-up rally via July $36/$40 call spreads.

DISCLAIMER:

Fides Global Bullion • June 2025

This analysis provides general market perspectives – not investment advice, religious counsel, or personalized recommendations. Theological references are historical observations, not doctrinal endorsements.

- No guarantees: Past performance ≠ future results. Forward-looking statements may change materially

- Physical metal risks: Includes storage/insurance costs (0.25-1.5% p.a.), counterparty exposure, and liquidity constraints

- Not a solicitation: Does not constitute an offer to buy/sell assets or replace existing holdings

Fides Global Bullion, its officers, and the Strategy Team:

- Assume no liability for losses arising from content interpretation

- Disclaim responsibility for actions taken without independent due diligence

Consult licensed advisors regarding personal circumstances. Precious metals may be unsuitable for certain investors. Diversification doesn’t ensure profit. © 2025 Fides Global Bullion LLC.