Oil prices fell on Monday (August 24, 2026) as investors braced for details of a U.S. plan to isolate the Iranian economy that President Donald Trump billed as the “most crushing” financial operation ever against Tehran.
“Nvidia must now show that the most expensive investment boom in modern market history can still pay its bills. Eyes are also on U.S. U.S. Vice President J.D.
Asian stocks were mostly down in early trading, with South Korea’s tech-rich Kospi falling 1.4% after Samsung Electronics said it spent a massive $80 billion to buy back its own shares following weeks of turbulent trading. Treasury boss Scott Bessent , who said he would give more details in a news conference on Monday (August 24, 2026) on a fresh push to pile economic pressure on Iran.
“The spending machine is still running, but the bill is getting heavier,” said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management. Vance admitted the plan was a “delicate dance” because Iran will “try to apply economic pressure to us”. Asked whether the United States would pressure China, Bessent told CNBC that “many conversations are best to have in private”, but called on Beijing “to get with the programme”.
Traders will also be watching this week’s annual gathering of central bankers, economists and finance chiefs in Jackson Hole, in the U.S. State of Wyoming, hoping for clarification on U.S. monetary policy.
