The South African rand traded around 16.1 per US dollar, near the lowest since August 18, pressured by a firm dollar and weaker precious metals prices following Fed Chair Kevin Warsh's recent hawkish remarks. Meanwhile, renewed US-Iran strikes in the Middle East weighed on risk sentiment and sent oil prices higher. In South Africa, petrol prices are set to rise again from September 2 following the latest monthly adjustment, as the Middle East crisis keeps international oil prices elevated, adding to domestic inflationary pressures.