Iran has vowed retaliation against the US after president Donald Trump unveiled his “economic D-Day” sanctions against Tehran.
Iranian economy minister Ali Madanizadeh claimed Tehran was “fully prepared for the US sanctions”. “Our defence is no longer so defensive; the enemies should wait for an attack,” he told state media.
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said the pivot to economic measures did not mean American strikes against Iran were off the table, saying that “by no means are we foreclosing using kinetic strikes anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran”.
It comes after US treasury secretary Scott Bessent vowed to “tighten the noose” with fresh secondary sanctions on Tehran’s trade partners, declaring that “no nation should expect to enjoy the rewards of our system while working with a regime that seeks to destroy it”.He said that an unnamed financial institution could expect to be sanctioned by the end of this week.
The Trump administration is turning up the economic pressure on Iran as the conflict drags on for nearly six months and reports say that the US military’s weapons stockpile is dwindling. PresidentTrump has refuted the reporting, saying his country has ‘massive amounts of ‘munitions’”.
Israel’s Netanyahu claims Iran tried to murder one of his sons
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that Iran tried to kill one of his sons.
However, he gave no details about when the alleged plot took place, which son was targeted or how close it came to being carried out.
Netanyahu’s allegation underscores the heightened tensions since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began in February, during which Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian leaders were killed.
Netanyahu’s coalition is trailing in opinion polls two months before an October 27 general election
Maira Butt25 August 2026 11:00
Trump’s ‘Economic D-Day’ for Iran arrives – but he is running out of cards to play
The U.S. had agreed to lift sanctions on sales of Iranian oil for the duration of a 60-day ceasefire that expired last Monday, but these were reimposed after the deal collapsed amid disagreement over the Strait of Hormuz last month.
For decades, it has imposed measures such as freezing assets, implementing trade embargoes and applying sanctions against Iran over issues such as its nuclear development and human rights violations.
Since the war, Washington has also imposed a naval blockade, restricting Iranian oil exports as well as levying additional maritime and energy sanctions since the war broke out.
The U.S. president has threatened to impose unprecedented economic punishment on Iran, but experts tell Maira Butt that China may prove a huge obstacle
Maira Butt25 August 2026 10:30
Turkey welcomes removal of Syria from terrorism sponsor list
Turkey has welcomed a US decision to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, saying that it had lifted “one of the biggest obstacles” to Syria’s reconstruction and economic development.
The country has been torn apart by civil war over recent years.
“We call upon the international community to unite its efforts towards the goal of a prosperous Syria and to fulfil its responsibilities to put an end to aggressive actions that jeopardise this vision,” the foreign ministry said in a statement referring to Israeli attacks on Syria, which Israel says is for its own defence and security.
Maira Butt25 August 2026 10:00
In pictures: Daily life in Tehran as Iran braces for new US sanctions
Photos of daily life in Tehran as Iran braces for new US sanctions
Maira Butt25 August 2026 09:30
Maira Butt25 August 2026 09:00
Who are Iran’s major trading partners as US unveils new sanctions?
Maira Butt25 August 2026 08:35
China says its trade with Iran should not be disrupted amid sanctions
China’s foreign ministry has responded to US Iran-related sanction threats and said that it’s cooperation with Iran is always done under the framework of international law and should not be disrupted or interfered with.
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent announced punitive measures against Tehran’s trading partners on Monday but stopped short of the most severe sanctions.
Maira Butt25 August 2026 08:15
Maira Butt25 August 2026 08:00
Iran vows to retaliate after US widens sanctions
Tehran has promised to hit back against expanded US sanctions and expressed confidence that major trading partners would resist Washington’s pressure.
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent unveiled the sanctions on Monday but stopped short of the most punishing measures and said countries that continued trading with Iran could risk being forced out of the dollar-based financial system.
He did not identify the countries targeted or which penalties would take effect and instead said there would be a period for them to consider their position and make amendments.
Maira Butt25 August 2026 07:40
US removes Syria from state-sponsored terrorism list
The US has delisted Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism, rescinding a decades-old designation.
The US state department also removed its designation of al-Nusrah Front, known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, as a global terrorist organisation.
“Today’s action will help foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability,” treasury secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar25 August 2026 07:20
Source: www.independent.co.uk
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