Israel-Gaza Peace Plan Faces New Pressure | Horizons Middle East & Africa 8/4/2026
Global markets are watching renewed diplomatic efforts after President Trump called the current negotiations Iran's "last chance" while insisting he will not allow Tehran to
Global markets are watching renewed diplomatic efforts after President Trump called the current negotiations Iran's "last chance" while insisting he will not allow Tehran to charge for passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says talks with Oman over Hormuz are making progress, although Tehran continues to deny negotiating directly with the US. Optimism over easing tensions helped the S&P 500 finish near a record high, while oil prices remained supported by ongoing risks in the Middle East. In Gaza, Israeli strikes are adding pressure to efforts to revive a peace plan that would replace Hamas with a vetted Palestinian government, although Israel has yet to approve the proposal. Energy markets continue to monitor disruptions in both the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea as Saudi Aramco prepares to report second-quarter earnings.
Asian markets weakened as technology shares extended their decline. The KOSPI fell on chip losses while the KOSDAQ advanced, Japan's stocks slipped on disappointing earnings, and the yen remained under close watch as traders speculated about another round of intervention. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remained focused on currency stability, with ¥155 per US dollar emerging as the next key level. We also cover HSBC's stronger-than-expected quarterly profit and $1 billion share buyback, President Trump's criticism of Exxon and Chevron over fuel prices, Palantir's surging demand outlook, SpaceX preparing to report its first earnings since its IPO, Morocco and Spain coordinating migrant returns after unrest in Ceuta, and growing disagreements among EU member states over new border controls. Guests includes William Roebuck, Arab Gulf States Institute Executive Vice President, US Ambassador to Bahrain, Deepak Mehra, Commercial Bank of Dubai Chief Economist and Mathieu Savary, BCA Research FICC Chief Strategist & Head.
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 00:05:00 - Trump Says Talks are Iran's 'Last Chance' 00:08:00 - William Roebuck, Arab Gulf States Institute Executive Vice President, US Ambassador to Bahrain 00:14:10 - Deepak Mehra, Commercial Bank of Dubai Chief Economist 00:19:52 - Israel Strikes on Gaza Pressure Peace Plan Revival 00:28:52 - Aramco to Report 2Q Earnings Amid Oil Disruption 00:33:05 - Mathieu Savary, BCA Research FICC Chief Strategist & Head 00:39:25 - Morocco-Spain Border Chaos 00:43:08 - HSBC Profit Beats, Plans $1 Billion Buyback More on Bloomberg Television and Markets Like this video?
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