Aug 21 (Fri) open: China's Shanghai Composite Index down 12.55 pts (-0.32%) at 3,891.18; Shenzhen Composite Index down 37.14 pts (-0.27%) at 13,935.64; CSI 300 Index down 7.32 pts (-0.16%) at 4,585.44; ChiNext Index down 0.48 pts (-0.01%) at 3,495.11; STAR 50 Index down 3.69 pts (-0.22%) at 1,649.28.

Israeli security sources told The Jerusalem Post that after talks with senior U.S. officials the near-term likelihood of a military confrontation with Iran has declined. Sources said President Trump has chosen another round of harsh economic sanctions intended to buy time until after the U.S. midterm elections. Officials said it remains unclear whether the U.S. can effectively deter or pressure states that directly or indirectly support Iran through oil trade, bank accounts, funds transfers, raw-material supplies or other channels. They added that without extreme measures and robust U.S. enforcement, Trump will not achieve his stated objectives.

Hong Kong-listed blockchain stocks rose: 00434.HK up nearly 13%, 08005.HK up nearly 12%, 08267.HK up 11.5%, 01499.HK up over 9%.