U.S. and Iran keep up hostile rhetoric ahead of new sanctions

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to reporters outside of the White House in Washington on Thursday. | Kenny Holston / The New York Times

REUTERS

Aug 22, 2026

CAIRO/WASHINGTON – The United States and Iran exchanged defiant messages ahead of Monday’s scheduled announcement of new U.S. economic sanctions that could impact the Islamic Republic and Tehran’s most important trading partners including China.

As the war neared 6 months old, the two sides were not exchanging fire but also not pursuing peace talks. All the while, oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have virtually halted as Tehran clings to its leverage by threatening to strike any unauthorized oil tankers that attempt to transit the narrow waterway.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. Monday in Washington amid promises to reveal “the toughest sanctions in history” on Iran while also urging China to cooperate with Washington.

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