Trump Squeezes Iran Economy
U.S. sanctions aim to weaken Iran, but China’s oil trade complicates Trump’s strategy.
August 26, 2026 · Updated Aug 26, 5:01pm ET
CNNTrump needs to get tough on China to get tough on Iran’s economy. He’s been reluctant to do that
PoliticoLawmakers press Treasury to target Chinese banks over Iran
Fox BusinessTreasury's 'Economic D-Day' against Iran could force regime into situation it 'fears the most,' experts say
Foreign AffairsMaximum Pressure on Iran Will Fail
ABC NewsTrump's new economic squeeze on Iran has a big challenge: China
Hot AirWatching the Iranian Regime Literally and Figuratively Run Out of Gas
The AtlanticThe Real Reason Trump Wants Economic Sanctions in Iran
NewsNationIran updates: US pivots to economic pressure as war nears 6-month mark
PJ MediaRabbi Michael Barclay's Iran Update: Challenges and How to Conquer Them
Mother JonesThe Iran deal that was always "about to happen": A supercut
Wall Street JournalThe Morning Risk Report: Bessent’s D-Day Unlikely to Be Game Changer
HuffPostIran Vows To Resist Widened U.S. Sanctions Aimed At Isolating Economy
USA TODAYSix months in six charts: Here's how the Iran war has affected you
TruthoutWe’re Half a Year Into Trump’s War on Iran. Congress Has Tools to End It.
Democracy Now!U.S. Threatens New Economic War on Iran by Targeting China & Tehran’s Other Top Trading Partners
AlterNet'Few options remain' for Trump as advisor says he’s 'just trying to hang on'
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Left · 10
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Center · 5
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Right · 3
Pano rates the coverage Mostly Left.
What happened
The Trump administration launched “Operation Economic Outcast,” a sanctions campaign Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
Scott BessentUnited States Secretary of the Treasury said would penalize anyone doing business with Iran after nearly six months of war. The measures target Iran’s aviation, shipping, technology, gold and digital-asset sectors, while stopping short of the broadest penalties sought by some lawmakers. China is the central enforcement test because it remains Iran’s biggest oil buyer, prompting lawmakers in both parties to press Treasury to target Chinese banks. Iran condemned the expanded sanctions as “gross lawlessness” and said many countries would not join the campaign.
U.S.-Iran Regional Conflict
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