Oil Prices Hover Near Peak During Hormuz Impasse

2026-08-20  Shafaq News   Oil prices steadied in early trade on Thursday as investors assessed the outlook for the U.S.-Iran war and the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Brent crude futures for October delivery rose 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $91.87 a barrel by 0037 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures for September slipped 2 cents to $85.81 a barrel. The more active October WTI contract gained 14 cents, or 0.2%, to $84.53.

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

Treasury Intervention Loses Its Grip as Oil, Debt and Bond Yields Reignite Global Market Pressure

The Treasury's effort to calm the long-term bond market provided only temporary relief. As yields climb again, oil approaches $94 and U.S. debt surpasses $40 trillion, investors are confronting a more difficult question: can policy intervention overcome the underlying forces driving the global repricing of risk?

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

The Dollar Falls as Treasury Steps In: A New Risk Equation Emerges for Global Finance

The U.S. Treasury is increasing long-term bond buybacks as investors question the sustainability of high borrowing costs — while the dollar weakens and oil prices add another layer of inflation pressure.

Al-Mustaqilla reveals: The Central Bank of Iraq is discussing removing zeros from the dinar

Al-Mustaqilla reveals: Removing zeros from the Iraqi dinar is under discussion within the Central Bank

August 19, 2026Last updated: August 19, 2026

The Independent - The eyes of economic and banking circles in Iraq are turning to the Central Bank of Iraq, amid information about internal discussions regarding the project to remove zeros from the Iraqi dinar and modernize the currency and the monetary and banking system, in a step that, if the decision is made to proceed with it, will be one of the biggest monetary transformations in the history of modern Iraq.

Foreign Buying of US Treasuries Just Fell 88% in a Single Month

Notes From the Field By James Hickman (Aimon Black / Sovereign Man) August 19, 2026

If you were to head to Bloomberg, CNBC, or Yahoo Finance this morning and see virtually all green across the board in US markets, you wouldn’t think it’s a sad day for America.

And yet, despite stocks being up and investors positively effervescent, it is indeed a sad day, because today marks the first real capitulation by the Treasury Department.

Oil Rises For Fourth Day On Hormuz Concerns

2026-08-19 Shafaq News   Oil prices climbed for a fourth ​straight day on Wednesday as investors weighed conflicting messages from Tehran and Washington on ‌whether the Strait of Hormuz is open to ships.

Brent crude futures climbed 69 cents, or 0.8%, to $91.71 by 0415 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were up 76 cents, or 0.9%, to $85.70 a barrel.