US sanctions target Iran's vital economic sectors
The US administration announced a new series of sanctions against Iran on Monday, August 25, 2026, targeting sectors deemed "vital" to Tehran's economy. According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, these sanctions will focus on digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and maritime transport. Bessent stated that these measures are part of an economic campaign against the Iranian regime. He also warned that the US would accelerate prosecutions against anyone trading with Iran and that countries financially supporting the regime should expect consequences. States that allow entities to facilitate money laundering for Iran will be "expelled from the dollar system." This announcement follows President Donald Trump's call over the weekend for various countries to join his "economic war" against Tehran, with Trump asserting on Truth Social that Iran is "collapsing completely." Bessent noted that the president had spoken with several world leaders, urging them to end their relationships with the regime, and that results were already being observed. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres called on the United States and Iran to resume negotiations for a peaceful resolution to their dispute, following the expiration of a 60-day memorandum of understanding between the two countries in mid-June.