This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.

Catch up on Sunday's top developments here:

  • US house speaker believes Washington, Tehran conflict could ‘get into a new phase’ 
  • Iran says no power can ‘force us to surrender’
  • Netanyahu vows no Palestinian state as long as he remains PM
  • Malaysian home minister praises Pakistan’s role in facilitating negotiations between US, Iran
  • Gaza death toll rises to 73,420 since Israel siege 


Oil falls as Trump pledges economic war on Iran

Published: Aug 24, 2026 | 02:57 GMT | by Web Desk

Oil prices fell on Monday as investors braced for details of a US plan to isolate the Iranian economy that President Donald Trump billed as the "most crushing" financial operation ever against Tehran.


Asian stocks were mostly down in early trading, with South Korea's tech-rich Kospi falling 1.4 percent after Samsung Electronics said it spent a massive $80 billion to buy back its own shares following weeks of turbulent trading.


The chip giant's shares, along with those of rival SK hynix, peaked in June on optimism for the artificial intelligence boom, but have since fallen amid investor jitters and a broader tech rout.


In an important week for AI, investors are also looking towards an earnings report from Nvidia, the world's most valuable company and a bellwether for the sector.


The recurring question for the US chipmaker is whether the AI boom will continue to accelerate as the technology takes over more corners of the broader economy.


"The spending machine is still running, but the bill is getting heavier," said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management.


"Nvidia must now show that the most expensive investment boom in modern market history can still pay its bills."


‘International Protection Presence in West Bank, Gaza absolutely urgent’: UN rights expert

Published: Aug 24, 2026 | 02:57 GMT | by Web Desk


UN rights expert Francesca Albanese has said that an “International Protection Presence in West Bank/east Jerusalem and Gaza is absolutely urgent.”


“Third states have an obligation, per the ICJ, to act to end Israel's unlawful occupation,” she said in a post on X.


“Will UNSG's good offices and UNGA (Uniting4Peace) help overcome the #UNSC paralysis?” she added.



US to begin ‘economic D-Day’ against Iran at dawn: US treasury secretary

Published: Aug 24, 2026 | 01:24 GMT | by Web Desk


US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that US would begin economic D-Day against Tehran at dawn as Washington continue to put pressure on Iran and its allies. 

“Those who sever Iran’s remaining financial and commercial connectivity will reinvigorate their own,” Bessent said in an opinion piece in the Financial Times, adding that countries who would discontinue their ties would “deepen their access to global capital, reinforce confidence in their markets and attain the standing they seek in the world economy.”

“The alternative for those who tether themselves to Tehran is the foreclosure of any path to lasting prosperity. 

He said that any nation that serves as a “financial artery of a withering regime should expect to share in its isolation.” 

“The world should understand that our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains the tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone.,” he said. 

“As a great wave of American resolve comes ashore, are Iran’s enablers willing to wager their future against it?”



Sunday’s important developments at a glance

Published: Aug 24, 2026 | 00:00 GMT | by Web Desk


Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei has said that if US’ “economic war” against Iran continued then not a “single drop of oil will be exported٫ neither through the Strait of Hormuz nor from anywhere in the Persian Gulf.”

While speaking  to Fox News, US House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that he expected to “get into a new phase” of the conflict between Tehran and Washington, adding that he believed that “nations are going to assist” the US in the next phase.

During his trip to Pakistan, Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail praised Islamabad’s role in facilitating negotiations between the two countries, saying the experience demonstrated the importance of diplomacy in addressing regional tensions.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state in Gaza or the occupied West Bank for as long as he remains in office.

Separately, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said no power could force Iran into surrender or helplessness, stressing that the country would withstand mounting military, economic and security pressure, according to state media.



For earlier developments, read our Aug 23 live blog here.