Crude oil prices (Brent and WTI) rose for six consecutive days as the US prepared new economic sanctions against Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated details would be announced on Monday, August 24, with potential expansion to trading partners like China. The sanctions are expected to significantly disrupt Iran's oil exports, with 41 million barrels currently stranded off the Strait of Hormuz. For Thai SMEs, energy-dependent operations face potential cost pressures from sustained higher oil prices.