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US Steps Up Economic Pressure on Iran | Horizons Middle East & Africa 8/21/2026
The US prepares a new economic isolation strategy for Iran as oil heads for a weekly surge and Treasury markets come under pressure. Bessent signals larger debt buybacks and vows coordinated action against Iran, with China’s purchases of Iranian oil increasingly in focus.
US stocks and bonds fall as the so-called “Bessent put” fades, while Asian bonds follow Treasuries lower. Japan’s inflation strengthens the case for further BOJ rate hikes, while the Korean won outperforms and the KOSPI rises after Samsung announces plans to return up to $79 billion to shareholders.
In AI, Anthropic eyes a record IPO and is reportedly seeking more than $60 billion in its latest debt financing, potentially matching SpaceX’s record raise. Meta becomes a major Microsoft AI customer, while Broadcom reportedly explores more than $30 billion in AI debt financing. Alibaba’s profit plunges 75% as margins miss estimates.
China and Switzerland scrap most tariffs under a new trade deal, while the World Robot Conference highlights the rapid evolution of humanoid robots and their push toward everyday applications.
We also explore the future of autonomous transportation, China’s slowing EV growth, falling US EV sales expectations, emerging-market adoption and Turkey’s rise as a hub for AI-driven transportation.
In commodities and Africa, Ghana and Ivory Coast cocoa crops face growing risks from El Niño, disease and torrential rain. Ethiopia sells another $500 million to support its currency, while the Africa CDC warns that the spread of Ebola shows signs of a potential pandemic emergency.
Bitcoin also rises following Trump’s meeting, while Fast Retailing shares fall after Walmart’s weak results weigh on sentiment. Guests includes Ayesha Tariq, MacroVisor Co-Founder, John Sfakianakis, Gulf Research Center Chief Economist and Head of Research and Cankut Durgun, Marti Technologies Co-Founder and President.
Horizons Middle East & Africa is your daily spotlight on one of the world's fastest-growing regions. Live from Dubai, we bring you the latest global markets and analysis, plus news-making interviews, with a special focus on MEA. All that and more, as you head to the office in the Gulf, pause for lunch in Hong Kong, or start your day in London or Johannesburg.
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:05:26 - US to Unveil Iran Economic Isolation Plan on Monday
00:08:10 - Ayesha Tariq, MacroVisor Co-Founder
00:17:18 - John Sfakianakis, Gulf Research Center Chief Economist and Head of Research
00:22:51 - Humanoid Evolution at World Robot Conference
00:30:33 - Anthropic Expects to Match or Top SpaceX IPO Record
00:36:00 - Cankut Durgun, Marti Technologies Co-Founder and President
00:44:21 - Cocoa Harvest at Risk
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Published Aug 21, 2026
