Stephen Carroll

In the markets, we're looking at Eurostoxx 50 futures up two tenths of 1%, so to our FTSE 100 futures.

The dollar a touch weaker today, although the big focus has been in precious metals.

Silver just under now $90 an ounce after it moved over that to a record high earlier.

Gold's up by 1%.

Copper price is half a percent higher.

We've also seen tin

hitting a record high in trading to investors hunting for real assets as a hedge against geopolitical uncertainties.

I'm Stephen Carroll and this is Bloomberg.

News when you want it with Bloomberg News Now.

I'm Stephen Carroll.

US President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of military strikes on Iran as activists say thousands of people have been killed in the wave of protests in the country.

The human rights activist news agency estimates at least 2,000 people have died, while the Oslo-based Iran Human Rights Group says the figure could be as high as 6,000.

They say a lack of internet access is making independent verification extremely difficult.

Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One, Donald Trump said the death toll would be a key factor in determining his response.

President Trump had earlier urged Iranians to continue their protests, writing on social media that help is on its way.

The comments come days after a White House official said Trump had been briefed on options for an attack, with the American president yesterday also encouraging US citizens and people from allied countries to leave Iran.

The head of America's largest bank has warned against undermining the Federal Reserve, earning him a rebuke from Donald Trump.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon told reporters after the bank's earnings that anything that chips away at the Fed's independence is, quote, probably not a great idea.

The US president was asked about Dimon's comments.

The Trump administration last week threatened criminal charges against the Fed and has sought to remove members of the Monetary Policy Committee, including Lisa Cook.