Iran-US war live: Trump unveils ‘economic D-Day’ sanctions as Tehran vows to go on the attack

Close Hegseth refuses to rule out US strikes against Iran On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice 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. President Trump has refuted the reporting, saying his country has ‘massive amounts of ‘munitions’”. Recommended Iran claims there is a $10 million bounty on Barron Trump Israel must face sanctions for its appalling campaigns in Gaza - and the killing of journalists like Mariam Abu Dagga Iran warns of a harsh response to anticipated US sanctions and other Middle East news The USS Lincoln has been at sea for 270-plus days. Here’s why conditions on board fell apart Key Points Iran vows heavy blows against US sanctions Netanyahu claims Iran tried to kill one of his sons Iran claims there is a $10 million bounty on Barron Trump Oil prices steady as investors weigh impact of sanctions Hegseth refuses to rule out strikes against Iran Pakistan and Iran made 'significant progress' in talks on conflict Watch: Iranian Finance Minister Claims Tehran 'Fully Prepared For US Sanctions' Iranian Finance Minister Claims Tehran 'Fully Prepared For US Sanctions' Maira Butt 25 August 2026 09:00 Who are Iran's major trading partners as US unveils new sanctions? Maira Butt 25 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 Butt 25 August 2026 08:15 Watch: US Treasury chief Scott Bessent issues stern warning to Iran's 'enablers' US Treasury chief Scott Bessent issues stern warning to Iran's 'enablers' Maira Butt 25 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 Butt 25 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 Sarkar 25 August 2026 07:20 Iran claims there is a $10 million bounty on Barron Trump Iranian state media has claimed there is a $10 million bounty on Barron Trump, president Donald Trump’s 20-year-old son, according to a new report. Footage broadcast on Channel 3, which is linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was titled “Where and how should we kill Barron Trump?” Euronews reported. It reportedly displayed the location of his university, as well as Secret Service positions and escort vehicles, while claiming his whereabouts were “fully monitored.” More here. Iran claims there is a $10 million bounty on Barron Trump The clip claimed that an unnamed young woman had evaded Secret Service protection and met privately with Barron Trump, according to a report Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 25 August 2026 07:00 US sanctions Singapore company over Iran links The US has imposed sanctions on Singapore-based Wellbred Capital and its trading firms in the UAE and Switzerland, citing links with Iran, as ‌it steps up measures to target Tehran's global financial links. The company had ties to Iranian oil shipping magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the US treasury's office of foreign assets control said on its ​website. "Shamkhani built Wellbred as a company outside ⁠the network’s Iranian business, though Shamkhani is ultimately responsible ​for Wellbred’s operations," it added in a statement outlining the ​measures targeting nearly 60 companies, individuals and ships. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 25 August 2026 06:40 US public support for Iran war falls, reveals poll US ‌public approval of the war with Iran fell to its lowest level since the conflict's early days, helping to hold president Donald Trump's popularity at a record low, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. The four-day poll showed just 31 per cent of ​Americans support US military action against Iran, down from 37 per cent in a March Reuters/Ipsos poll and ​34 per cent earlier this month. The decline was driven by fewer self-identified Republicans backing the ⁠conflict. Some 69 per cent of Republican respondents support the war, compared with 77 per cent in March. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 25 August 2026 06:20 Watch: Hegseth refuses to rule out US strikes against Iran Hegseth refuses to rule out US strikes against Iran Alisha Rahaman Sarkar 25 August 2026 06:00 Newer 1 / 3 Older