Energy:
1. The US military struck two anchored Iranian oil tankers.
2. US Energy Secretary: Venezuelan crude oil production will more than double in the next few years.
3. India's liquefied natural gas imports surge to a near six-year high.
4. Data shows Russia imported nearly 460,000 tons of gasoline by sea in August.
5. Russian President Putin: 10% of Russia's refining facilities still require maintenance.
6. According to the São Paulo State newspaper: A Brazilian court overturned a preliminary injunction suspending the 12% oil export tax.
7. Documents show the Russian government has lowered its 2026 oil production forecast to 494.2 million tons, a 17-year low; and raised its 2026 crude oil export forecast by 7.5 million tons to 244.7 million tons.
8. India will raise its windfall tax on gasoline exports from zero to 1.5 rupees per liter, and its windfall tax on diesel exports from 24 rupees per liter to 25 rupees per liter, effective September 1. Diesel export tax reduced from 3 rupees per liter to 1 rupee per liter.
Agriculture/Mining:
1. Indian Prime Minister Modi, for the second time this year, urged Indians not to buy gold unless absolutely necessary.
2. The World Food Programme announced it will halve its aid to the West Bank due to funding shortages.
3. Zambia's state-owned mining investment agency targets a $1.8 billion opportunity in the small-scale gold industry.
4. Global aluminum producers reportedly lowered their fourth-quarter premium offers to Japanese buyers by 18% quarter-on-quarter.
Iran Situation:
1. Greek maritime risk management company Marisks reported that two supertankers were hit by artillery shells in the Strait of Hormuz.
2. Bessant: "Bypass" in the Strait of Hormuz will be possible within two years; the US will continue to escalate sanctions against Iran.
3. Iran: Will not allow US attempts to allow ships to pass through the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz.
4. US Energy Secretary Wright: 17 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.
5. LNG cargoes from Qatar and the UAE are being diverted to ship-to-ship transshipment, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
6. Data shows that four commodity vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, down from the 10-day average of approximately 13.
7. U.S. Central Command: As of September 1, the U.S. military has diverted 84 merchant ships, rendered three vessels inoperable, and boarded two to ensure compliance with regulations.
