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US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: The war between the US and Iran is heading into a new phase as Washington prepares a major fresh sanctions package while Tehran warns that economic pressure will not force it to surrender.
Iranian FM Abbas Araghchi has dismissed the threatened measures as a sign of US desperation, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described Washington’s campaign as an ‘Economic D-Day’ and said the US is entering the ‘endgame’ with Iran.
The latest escalation comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the crisis. Iran has restricted shipping through the strategic waterway, while Washington is preparing to target businesses, countries and financial networks that continue to support Tehran’s economy.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Iran Says New Sanctions By ‘Desperate’ US Will Fail
Iran has rejected Washington’s latest sanctions threat, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accusing the US of returning to measures that Tehran says have already failed.
Araghchi said the shift from military pressure to another round of economic restrictions showed that Washington was struggling to achieve its objectives.
“The fact that they (US leaders) have moved on from military operations … to bring up the same old plans shows that they are desperate.” He argued that Iran would not be defeated by another sanctions campaign and called on Washington to change its approach.
“We have never been afraid. All of their actions – whether blockades or other military moves they have made – have failed, and this new issue of theirs will fail as well,” he said.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Bessent Calls New Iran Pressure an ‘Economic D-Day’
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has presented the upcoming sanctions campaign as one of the most aggressive economic operations Washington has launched against Iran.
In an opinion article for the Financial Times, Bessent described the campaign as an “economic D-Day” and said the US was preparing to use its economic power to cut Iran off from remaining sources of international finance.
Bessent said Washington would target countries and companies that continue to buy or transport Iranian oil and entities involved in financial transactions, shipping and other activities that help Tehran maintain its economy.
The Treasury secretary has also warned Iran’s economic partners that continuing business with Tehran could expose them to US sanctions and wider financial isolation.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: US Entering ‘Endgame’ With Iran as Economic War Intensifies
Bessent said the Trump administration believes its economic campaign has reached an “endgame”.
Washington wants to use sanctions to sever what it describes as Iran’s remaining economic lifelines. The strategy focuses on reducing Tehran’s ability to generate revenue from oil and access international financial networks.
The US has already imposed extensive restrictions on Iranian entities, vessels and networks. The Treasury Department said it had sanctioned more than 100 vessels linked to Iran’s shadow fleet since the beginning of the year.
Bessent has argued that stronger economic pressure could reduce the need for additional military action by making it harder for Iran to finance its operations.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: What Will New US Sanctions Target?
The new US measures are expected to focus on the financial and commercial channels that allow Iran to continue earning and moving money internationally. Potential targets include:
- Companies and countries buying Iranian oil
- Businesses involved in transporting Iranian crude
- Financial institutions facilitating Iranian transactions
- Shipping and vessel networks linked to Tehran
- Entities involved in fuel transfers and maritime operations
- Other businesses that help Iran bypass existing sanctions
Bessent has warned that governments and companies that continue supporting Iran could face serious economic consequences. The US has increasingly focused on Iran’s oil trade because energy exports remain one of Tehran’s most important sources of foreign revenue.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Strait of Hormuz Adds to Economic Pressure
The Strait of Hormuz has become another major pressure point in the US-Iran confrontation.
Iran has restricted unauthorised shipping through the waterway, affecting one of the world’s most important routes for oil transportation. Shipping activity has slowed sharply amid security concerns and competing restrictions.
Tehran has also threatened to take further action against countries that cooperate with the US sanctions campaign.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Oil Markets Watch Washington’s Next Move
Global oil markets are closely watching the next US sanctions announcement because restrictions on Iranian exports could further tighten supply conditions.
Oil prices have already reacted to uncertainty surrounding the war and shipping through Hormuz. On Monday, crude prices moved lower as traders adjusted positions ahead of the expected US announcement, while concerns about supply disruptions remained.
Analysts are particularly watching whether Washington targets countries that continue purchasing Iranian crude. China remains an important factor because it is a major buyer of Iranian oil.
Any significant reduction in Iranian exports, combined with continued disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, could increase pressure on global energy markets.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: Tehran Says It Wants Respectful Dialogue
Despite its rejection of the new sanctions threat, Tehran has again signalled that it wants a diplomatic solution based on what it considers fair terms.
Araghchi said Washington should communicate with Iran respectfully and seek “a solution based on justice and honour.” Iran has repeatedly criticised the US for combining diplomatic demands with military and economic pressure.
Tehran’s latest position indicates that Iran does not view the new sanctions as a reason to abandon its negotiating position. Instead, Iranian officials argue that Washington needs to change its approach before meaningful talks can progress.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: US Says Economic Pressure Can End the Conflict
Washington believes intensified economic pressure can force Tehran to reconsider its policies. Bessent has argued that cutting Iran’s financial lifelines could weaken the government’s ability to sustain its activities and potentially reduce the need for further military operations.
The Trump administration has also warned other countries that they could face consequences if they continue helping Iran evade US restrictions.
The strategy therefore goes beyond directly targeting Iranian companies. Washington is attempting to pressure the wider network of governments, banks, shipping companies and businesses that continue to trade with Tehran.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest News: What’s Next?
The immediate focus will be on the details of Washington’s new sanctions package and how quickly the US begins enforcing the measures.
The response from Iran will also be closely watched, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian oil exports. Tehran has already warned that further economic pressure could trigger a stronger response affecting Gulf oil shipments.
For global markets, the key risks remain oil supply disruptions, shipping restrictions and the possibility of further military escalation.
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