Iran Sanctions Escalation: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s “Operation Economic Outcast” expands secondary sanctions and targets Iran’s “lifelines” tied to digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping, while Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian now admits exports and imports have fallen 25%–35% and says gasoline prices may need to rise to match the trade hit. Macroeconomic Snapshot (Europe): France’s Q2 growth came in flat at 0.0% (below forecasts), while Sweden’s economy grew 1.6% in Q2 and household spending rebounded, with consumer confidence back near normal. Central Banking Watch: New Zealand banks broadly expect the RBNZ to lift the OCR again on Sept. 2 to 2.75% after July’s hike, aiming to cool inflation toward 2%. Credit & Growth Signals (Nigeria/Jordan/Guyana): Moody’s upgraded Nigeria’s outlook to positive on stronger growth and reserve gains; Jordan’s export momentum and a stable sovereign rating support investor confidence; Guyana’s debt servicing burden is easing as the economy keeps expanding. Trade/Investment & Policy: Kuwait plans specialized economic courts to clear commercial case backlogs and boost investor confidence; Armenia is renaming its foreign ministry to embed trade and economic functions; Pakistan pushes CPEC 2.0 and growth ambitions toward G20. Jobs Finance (Jordan): Bank al Etihad and the Jordan Loan Guarantee Corporation join a “Guarantee for Employment” program linking SME financing to job creation.