Analyst Ross Harrison on Trump's economic pressure campaign against Iran Middle East Institute fellow Ross Harrison discusses US sanctions threats, the Strait of Hormuz and divisions within Iran's leadership. More stories from Al Jazeera Join the flipboard community Discover, collect, and share stories for all your interestsSign up More stories from Iran US, Iran keep up hostile rhetoric ahead of new sanctions The new US economic sanctions could impact Iran and its most important trading partners, including China.

With Midterms Approaching, Trump Implores Republicans: Pretend I’m on the Ballot! President Trump was in South Carolina to stump for Darline Graham, sister of Lindsey. But his own political future was on his mind, too. Does Donald J. Trump still have the juice?

This was one of many open questions in the air Friday night inside the convention center in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where the … See How China Weathered the Iran Oil Shock A sharp decrease in China’s oil imports has been pivotal to keeping oil prices down since the start of the war in Iran.

That, in turn, has helped curb inflation and support the global economy.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for ending the current conflict with the United States, arguing that Iran currently holds strategic leverage and global recognition, according to a report by the semi-official Iranian Students’ News Agency.

This statement aligns with positions previously held by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other officials advocating for diplomacy following the collapse of a prior ceasefire, while U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is reported to be preparing new economic sanctions.

An Arabic-language headline posits that Iran may be preparing for a potential escalation, although this remains an unverified assertion. The reference to ongoing diplomatic efforts suggests a context of continued regional engagement, but specific preparations for conflict have not been independently confirmed.

Iran stated on Tuesday that the Strait of Hormuz "will not be opened" until U.S. commitments, such as lifting sanctions and releasing frozen assets, are fulfilled, while President Trump asserted that the strait remains open and operational under a continued U.

S. naval blockade. Independent reporting from CNN indicates that despite competing official claims, evidence suggests the United States maintains significant control over the waterway via naval patrols.