Trump Vows the "Most Crushing" Sanctions Yet on Iran; Iran Market Pulse, Midday Thursday, Aug 20, 2026: Global Gold Breaks Above $4,500 as Dollar, Gold and Coin Rise Together

Trump said early Thursday, August 20, 2026, that he will soon unveil the "most crushing economic action" in history against Iran, as Strait of Hormuz diplomacy stalled again and confirmed tanker transits fell 17 percent. Global gold broke above $4,500 for the first time in two months, trading near $4,485 by 11am Tehran time; Tehran's free-market dollar rose 0.63%, 18-karat gold 1.06% and the Emami coin 0.77%, while the coin premium fell roughly 40%. Tehran's bourse is closed today.