US Strikes Iran as Tehran Hits US Bases Across Gulf | Horizons Middle East & Africa 9/2/2026

US and Iran exchange strikes as the conflict intensifies, with US forces targeting Iranian air-defense and radar systems and Tehran launching what it calls a “decisive operation” against US bases across the region, including a drone attack on a US base in Bahrain. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz.
Oil prices extend gains after the attacks, while Asian stocks decline as higher oil prices and bond yields weigh on markets. Bessent also signals US support for possible Bank of Japan action on the yen.
Australia’s economy grows 0.4% quarter-on-quarter in Q2, beating expectations and strengthening the case for higher interest rates, while New Zealand raises its benchmark rate by 25 basis points.
In technology, Nvidia is reportedly nearing a $14 billion deal for Hugging Face, Google could launch a new AI model, and Elon Musk says AI could eventually expand the global economy by 20% to 30%.
At the G20, Bessent says China was the main dissenter and blocked a joint communique over its trade surplus, while Beijing objected to language on supply chains and critical minerals.
Search teams continue looking for survivors in Nepal’s hydropower tunnels as the death toll surpasses 1,000, with no new updates reported from Tibet.
Senegal secures a $2.2 billion IMF deal as the country faces around $10 billion in annual debt-servicing needs.
Across the Gulf, resilience is reshaping a $2.1 trillion GCC investment cycle. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is pushing to improve portfolio returns, control rising costs and address project delays. Its roughly $905 billion portfolio includes Savvy Games Group, New Murabba and Riyadh Air, as the fund remains central to Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s drive to diversify beyond hydrocarbons.
Saudi Arabia also raises $3.25 billion through a bond sale that attracted more than $15 billion in peak orders. Guests includes Steven Major, Tradition Dubai Global Macro Advisor, Ben Powell, Blackrock Investment Institute Chief Middle East & APAC investment strategist.

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
00:04:46 – US-Iran Conflict Intensifies
00:12:30 – Steven Major, Tradition Dubai Global Macro Advisor
00:28:10 – Ben Powell, Blackrock Investment Institute Chief Middle East & APAC investment strategist
00:34:33 – Senegal Secures $2.2B IMF Deal
00:39:10 – Saudi’s PIF Begins Portfolio Return Push
00:42:10 – Saudi Arabia Sells $3.25 Billion of Deb
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