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[Former US Defense Department Official: Sanctions Against Iran Won't Overthrow the Iranian Regime, But Will Severely Damage the Revolutionary Guard] Former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Mulroy stated that the new round of sanctions against Iran aims to extend its impact far beyond Iran. He said, "This is what's called secondary sanctions. All countries, institutions, and entities that do business with Iran and have trade relations with it will be sanctioned. This includes other countries and financial institutions that handle Iranian financial transactions." Mulroy stated that Washington is also targeting Iranian infrastructure used to circumvent restrictions: "The US is also taking action against shadow fleets used to smuggle Iranian oil and circumvent sanctions." However, he stated that this strategy has limitations: "These measures will not overthrow the Iranian regime, but will deal a significant blow to it and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cutting off financial support to the organization." Mulroy linked the push for sanctions to a key US domestic political timeline. He stated, "I think the US chose this option rather than escalating military action before the US midterm elections because war is not particularly popular with the American public or in American public opinion." He added that if Iran attacks any regional allies or US targets, the current standoff "could escalate to the military level."

The Hang Seng Index (HSI) opened down 229.34 points, or 0.88%, at 25780.12 on Monday, August 24th; the Hang Seng Tech Index opened down 53.0 points, or 1.11%, at 4713.16 on Monday, August 24th; the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index opened down 84.99 points, or 0.98%, at 8549.35 on Monday, August 24th; and the Hang Seng Red Chip Index opened down 4.37 points, or 0.1%, at 4287.98 on Monday, August 24th.

According to Greek media reports, Athens deployed an air defense system to Crete after Iran threatened US military bases in Europe.

SoftBank will issue 1 trillion yen in bonds.

Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index opened 18.30 points higher, or 0.20%, at 9077.20 on Monday, August 24.

The NI225 opened down 153.79 points, or 0.23%, at 65,862.57 on Monday, August 24.

[Key Events and Data Preview for This Week: US PCE, Global Central Bank Annual Meeting, Nvidia & BYD Earnings Reports]1. Monday: ① Events: US Treasury Secretary Bessenter holds a press conference on specific actions to increase economic sanctions against Iran; Pinduoduo earnings call. ② Earnings Reports: Leapmotor, Pinduoduo, XPeng Motors.2. Tuesday: ① Data: Germany's final Q2 unadjusted GDP annual rate, Germany's August IFO Business Climate Index; US ADP employment change for the week ending August 8, US June FHFA house price index month-on-month, US June S&P/CS 20-City Composite Home Price Index year-on-year, US July new home sales annualized, US August Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, US August Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index. ② Events: The Reserve Bank of Australia releases the minutes of its August monetary policy meeting; Richmond Fed President Barkin, a 2027 FOMC voting member, speaks on "The Mysterious US Economy." ③ Earnings Reports: Laopu Gold, WuXi Biologics. 3. Wednesday: ① Data: US API crude oil inventories for the week ending August 21; Australia's July unadjusted CPI year-on-year rate; Switzerland's August ZEW investor confidence index; UK's August CBI retail sales balance; US July core PCE price index year-on-year rate, US July personal spending month-on-month rate, revised US Q2 annualized GDP quarter-on-quarter rate, US July core PCE price index month-on-month rate, US July durable goods orders month-on-month rate, US EIA crude oil inventories for the week ending August 21, US EIA Cushing, Oklahoma crude oil inventories for the week ending August 21, US EIA strategic petroleum reserve inventories for the week ending August 21. ② Event: 2027 FOMC voting member and Richmond Fed President Barkin attends a symposium. ③ Earnings reports: Li Auto, Nvidia (after US stock market closes). 4. Thursday: ① Data: Germany's September GfK consumer confidence index; Canada's second-quarter current account; US initial jobless claims for the week ending August 22, US EIA natural gas storage for the week ending August 21. ② Event: The Jackson Hole Global Central Bank Symposium will be held from August 27-29; Nvidia holds an earnings call; the European Central Bank releases the minutes of its monetary policy meeting. ③ Earnings reports: Vanke, Bilibili, and Maiwei Technology (after US stock market closes). 5. Friday: ① Data: Japan's July unemployment rate; France's August CPI (preliminary), France's Q2 GDP (final); Switzerland's August KOF Leading Economic Index; Germany's August seasonally adjusted unemployment figures, Germany's August seasonally adjusted unemployment rate; Eurozone's August industrial sentiment index, Eurozone's August economic sentiment index; Canada's June GDP (monthly); US August Chicago PMI, US 2026 Non-Farm Payrolls Baseline Change (preliminary), US August University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index (final), US August One-Year Inflation Expectations (final). ② Events: A new round of domestic refined oil price adjustments will begin; Federal Reserve Chairman Warsh delivers his first speech at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium [simultaneous interpretation]. ③ Financial Reports: BYD, Meituan, ICBC, PetroChina, etc. 7. Saturday: ① Data: Total number of oil rigs in the United States for the week ending August 28.

The local governor stated that a drone attack in Krasnodar, southern Russia, killed two children and damaged a warehouse.

New Zealand's retail sales volume fell 0.5% quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter, compared with 0.90% in the previous quarter.

New Zealand's retail sales grew at an annualized rate of 3.3% in the second quarter, compared with 4.5% in the previous quarter.

The local governor stated that Russia is defending against drone attacks on the Nevinomysk industrial zone in the southern Stavropol region.

Alibaba (BABA.N) announced the pricing of its HK$80 billion share placement, with 710,000,000 new shares to be subscribed at HK$112.70 per share. The placement is expected to be completed on August 26, 2026.

The three major U.S. stock index futures opened slightly lower on Monday.

PLS CEO: The company remains confident in the long-term opportunities in the lithium industry.

US President Trump: Communities that refuse to plan and build data centers are making a mistake. Data centers provide a lot of jobs and funding.

Market news: US President Trump will visit Ireland on September 12 and 13.

The EU High Representative stated that Israel's settlement plans in the West Bank, including the E1 area, violate international law.

The EU High Representative urged the Israeli government to withdraw its tender and halt the E1 settlement program in the West Bank.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Office (UKMTO) stated that shipping traffic has declined in both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Rezaei stated: "If the economic war continues, not a single drop of oil will be exported from the Strait of Hormuz or anywhere else in the Persian Gulf. Iran will consider any country's participation in or support of the US-led economic war against the Iranian people as an act of war."