USD Surges as Trump Ends Iran MOU, Risk-Off Drives Safe-Haven Demand

The US dollar strengthened broadly as markets shifted into risk-off mode following President Trump's declaration at the NATO summit in Turkey that the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran is effectively over. Trump stated he does not want to engage with Iran and directed verbal attacks at both Tehran and European allies, escalating geopolitical tensions on multiple fronts. Oil prices spiked sharply on the news, as traders priced in potential supply disruptions from renewed hostility toward Iran. The risk-off move benefited traditional safe-haven currencies including the USD, JPY, and CHF, while commodity-linked and risk-sensitive currencies such as AUD and NZD faced selling pressure. EUR/USD also came under pressure as Trump's criticism of European allies added to uncertainty around transatlantic relations. Traders should monitor developments closely, as any further escalation could drive additional safe-haven flows and oil volatility. Key pairs to watch include USD/JPY, EUR/USD, and AUD/USD, with elevated volatility expected across G10 pairs in the near term.