CNBC Daily Open: Markets caught between Mideast worries and AI optimism

A car with replicas of missiles and an image of Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei (R), and late Supreme Leaders Ruhollah Jomeini (L), Ali Khamenei (C) during a gathering to commemorate the death of Imam Reza on August 12, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. Getty ImagesHello, this is Hui Jie writing to you from Singapore. Welcome to another edition of CNBC's Daily Open.Chinese strategist Sun Tzu said that "the supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting." U.S. President Donald Trump seems to differ, threatening to fight everyone at the same time. While Trump wants a free Strait of Hormuz, he has now warned that Oman — which also borders the critical waterway — could face military action.What you need to know todayThe U.S.-Iran conflict is into its sixth month, and despite several promises of a deal and start-stop negotiations, the war in the Middle East now threatens to restart and drag more countries into its fold.On Monday stateside, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to "bomb the s--- out of" Oman if the Gulf nation "gets in the way." Oman has reportedly been working with Iran on a plan to define transit routes for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. When asked again...