Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 03:02am on 24 Aug 2026,Monday International
Iran has warned it could halt all oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and elsewhere in the Persian Gulf if the US continues what Tehran calls an “economic war.” Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei issued the warning as Washington prepared fresh sanctions targeting Iran and its trade partners. Rezaei also said Iran would consider any country supporting the US economic campaign an “act of war.” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was expected to announce tougher measures, described as a major financial offensive against Iran. China urged diplomacy, while Iranian officials criticised Washington’s sanctions strategy. The warning comes amid disrupted trade, damaged infrastructure and near-standstill shipping through Hormuz, contributing to pressure on global fuel prices.
