Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani is due in Tehran on Thursday to discuss de-escalation, renewed US-Iran dialogue and Qatar’s mediation efforts. The visit will also address the Strait of Hormuz as the US-Israel war on Iran approaches its sixth month without a diplomatic breakthrough.

QatarIranUnited Statesdiplomacy

Wall Street is eagerly awaiting Nvidia’s earnings on Wednesday afternoon. Investors are focused less on the chipmaker’s figures than on what they may signal about AI investors and the broader market.

Nvidiaearningsartificial intelligencemarkets

The US Treasury imposed targeted sanctions on about 24 entities based in mainland China or Hong Kong as part of its “Operation Economic Outcast” campaign against Iran and those supporting it.

US sanctionsIranChinaHong Kong

As Gulf neighbours plan alternative pipelines and export routes, debate is intensifying in Iran over whether the Strait of Hormuz is becoming a rapidly diminishing strategic asset. President Masoud Pezeshkian and parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf have urged an end to the war, while analysts warn that repeatedly using the strait as leverage could push others to reduce their dependence on it and leave Iran more exposed to US sanctions.

IranStrait of Hormuzeconomic sanctionswar negotiations

Oil prices fell about 2% on Wednesday, extending the previous session’s losses, after Iran said it had resumed talks with neighboring Oman on managing the strategic waterway. The discussions raised fresh hopes that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen.

oil pricesIranOmanStrait of Hormuz

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China firmly opposes illicit unilateral sanctions without a basis in international law or authorization from the UN Security Council. Responding to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s plan to expand secondary-sanctions threats against Iran, Lin said economic warfare and maximum pressure only heighten tensions, spill over risks and harm other countries’ legitimate rights. He called for de-escalation and a return to dialogue and negotiation.

China foreign ministryunilateral sanctionsIranUnited States

The United States is not planning new attacks on Iran in the near term, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told senior diplomats, according to Axios. Washington is expected to increase economic pressure through sanctions and a naval blockade while moving more oil through the Strait of Hormuz. Officials said strikes remain possible if Iran attacks first, and the policy is expected to continue at least through the November 3 midterm elections.

United StatesIransanctionsStrait of Hormuz

The Trump administration’s latest sanctions against Iran have swept up dozens of businesses in China and Hong Kong, while stopping short of the far more consequential move of targeting major Chinese financial institutions.

Iran sanctionsChinaHong KongUS policy

Oil prices declined for a second day on Tuesday as traders judged the prospect of renewed US strikes on Iran to have diminished after Washington threatened wider economic sanctions instead. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called for an “economic D-Day” against Tehran but offered no timetable or details on countries that might be penalized.

oil pricesIranUS sanctions

China said it opposes the United States’ expanded unilateral sanctions on Iran and will take all necessary steps to protect its legitimate rights and interests. Washington targeted nearly 60 individuals, entities and vessels, while warning countries and businesses dealing economically with Tehran that they could face US measures.

ChinaUS sanctionsIranunilateral sanctions

After six months of military threats and conflict, the United States has launched a broad economic pressure campaign against Iran. The measures expand secondary sanctions into digital assets, gold, aviation, shipping and technology, while pressing Iran’s trading partners to choose sides. The analysis says Washington is turning to economic pressure to sustain leverage over Tehran and reduce the costs of prolonged military confrontation, though sanctions may not force Iran to concede.

US sanctionsIraneconomic pressuresecondary sanctions

Canada has announced counter-tariffs of up to 50% on nearly C$28bn of US goods, including steel, furniture, fresh tuna and cosmetics. The measures are due to begin on 8 September. Ottawa called the response “proportionate” and “strategic” and pledged C$7.5bn in support for affected businesses and workers.

CanadaUnited Statestariffstrade war

Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs on about $20 billion worth of U.S. goods. Canadian trade negotiators left the United States last week after failing to secure a deal that would have prevented President Donald Trump’s new tariffs from taking effect.

CanadaUnited Statesretaliatory tariffs

Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on C$27.6 billion ($19.94 billion) in US goods, including steel and dairy, matching the punitive duties imposed by President Donald Trump on Canadian products. Ottawa also unveiled C$7.5 billion in aid for affected Canadian businesses and workers as tensions escalated.

CanadaUnited Statesretaliatory tariffstrade war

As its trade war with the United States intensifies, Canada is retaliating against tariffs imposed on its goods in recent days by placing tariffs on US products. Ottawa has also announced a multibillion-dollar aid package for workers and urged Canadians to buy local to support domestic industries.

CanadaUnited Statesretaliatory tariffstrade war

Canadian ministers set out a series of countermeasures after the Trump administration imposed new tariffs on Canadian goods, deepening the trade war between Canada and the United States.

CanadaUnited Statesretaliatory tariffstrade war

Canada announces tariffs of up to 50% on more than 700 US goods, with the highest import taxes targeting steel and aluminum.

CanadaUnited Statestariffssteelaluminum