{"id":2649068,"date":"2026-08-24T18:04:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-24T22:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-holds-off-on-toughest-iran-sanctions\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T18:11:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T22:11:28","slug":"trump-holds-off-on-toughest-iran-sanctions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-holds-off-on-toughest-iran-sanctions\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump holds off on toughest Iran sanctions"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">14<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-holds-off-on-toughest-iran-sanctions%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2649068&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article discusses recent U.S. sanctions aimed at Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent referring to it as an \u201ceconomic D-Day\u201d and a warning that more decisive actions may follow. The Biden administration introduced a broad sanctions package targeting Iran&#8217;s aviation, digital assets, gold, shipping, and technology sectors, and identified around 60 individuals and entities involved in supporting Iran&#8217;s military efforts through illicit trade and sanctions evasion. However, Bessent avoided announcing sweeping secondary sanctions against foreign banks, opting instead for private diplomatic engagement with other countries&#8217; leaders to pressure Iran. Experts viewed this as a cautious move to avoid provoking Iran or damaging relations with allies like China. The administration intends to extend sanctions efforts beyond Iranian entities to target <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/russias-swift-alternative-expanding-quickly-this-year-says-central-bank\/\" title=\"Russia\u2019s SWIFT alternative expanding quickly this year, says central bank\">foreign financial institutions<\/a> assisting Iran,but some analysts believe more targeted actions are necessary. Iran dismissed the sanctions, calling the U.S. efforts a sign of failure.Bessent emphasized the need for patience, giving countries a chance to cease problematic activities before stricter measures are enforced. The overall tone indicates a strategic but cautious escalation of economic pressure on Iran.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Treasury Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/scott-bessent\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11700\">Scott Bessent<\/a> promised an \u201ceconomic D-Day\u201d against <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"100\">Iran<\/a> and the foreign financial institutions helping keep its economy afloat. Economic experts say what arrived Monday looked more like a warning that D-Day is still to come.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Trump administration rolled out a broad new sanctions package targeting Iran\u2019s aviation, digital asset, gold, shipping, and technology sectors. It also named roughly 60 individuals, entities, and vessels accused of propping up Iran\u2019s war machine through illicit commerce and sanctions evasion.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4698623\/trump-holds-off-toughest-iran-sanctions-economic-d-day\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump holds off on toughest Iran sanctions despite \u2018economic D-Day\u2019 billing, experts say<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4698689\/bessent-economic-asphyxiation-iran-sanctions\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Bessent says goal of \u2018D-Day\u2019 sanctions on Iran is \u2018economic asphyxiation\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4698548\/trump-children-tour-helipad-ballroom-sites\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump takes children on tour of helipad and ballroom construction sites<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But Bessent stopped short of announcing the sweeping secondary sanctions against foreign banks and other financial institutions that administration officials had suggested were on the table ahead of Monday\u2019s announcement. Instead, the treasury secretary said top administration officials, including President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4693574\/trump-data-center-construction\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> himself, would engage privately with leaders of countries to crack down on business ties with Tehran.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe believe that a warning shot and a level set of expectations is appropriate,\u201d Bessent said Monday afternoon, \u201cand if people do not want to meet our expectations, then they should expect that they will leave the dollar system.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The distinction between an \u201ceconomic D-Day\u201d and a \u201cwarning shot\u201d quickly drew attention from economic experts who questioned whether the threat of sanctions was enough to suffocate Iran financially nearly six months into the war.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNeedless to say, calling today \u2018D-Day\u2019 and then framing it as a warning shot muddies the message a smidge,\u201d said Gregory Brew, the Eurasia Group\u2019s senior analyst for Iran and oil.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brew added that Bessent\u2019s remarks indicated that the United States is \u201ctrying to ratchet up pressure\u201d on Tehran, without goading Tehran into striking neighboring countries or risk \u201cangering Iran\u2019s trading partners \u2014\u00a0most notably China.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The administration signaled ahead of Monday\u2019s announcement that it was preparing to expand its pressure campaign beyond Iranian entities themselves and increasingly target the countries and foreign financial institutions doing business with Iran.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Max Meizlish, a former Treasury official and research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said outright that Monday\u2019s announcement falls short of the objective. He argued the Trump administration would ultimately need \u201cmore targeted action against the banks and financial institutions\u201d aiding Iran.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meizlish told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that prior attempts to shame countries doing business with Iran, including China, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, had fallen flat. He noted that the Trump administration already sent a letter in April to financial regulators in those countries and in Hong Kong, highlighting firms helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf we\u2019re truly trying to create economic damage and and constrain the enemy\u2019s ability to operate, and to survive, and continue functioning,\u201d Meizlish said, \u201cthen what we\u2019re going to have to do in some meaningful way is actually go after these banks and financial institutions abroad, pressure the regulatory environment, the regulators in all these other countries, and force them to choose between continued access to the U.S. dollar and servicing, whether directly or indirectly, the Iranian regime.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meizlish speculated that the administration pulled back from broader sanctions over concerns about \u201cwhat kind of economic blowback there could be from our allies and partners.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The White House declined to comment on criticism of the president\u2019s new economic offensive against <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4690266\/democrats-republicans-midterms-iran-uss-lincoln-reports-lacking-food-veterans-input\/\">Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One former Trump Treasury official, however, told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that the administration was trying to thread the needle between \u201csqueezing Iran to the brink of oblivion\u201d and \u201climiting any downstream negative impacts on both American consumers and allies.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Iran responded to Bessent\u2019s announcement by claiming that the \u201cnarrative does not add up.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe largest financial offensive in history and the mobilization of all U.S. agencies and authorities have become necessary,\u201d Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi wrote on social media. \u201cIs this a victory or an admission of U.S. defeat?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4698072\/trump-opens-economic-d-day-offensive-against-iran-war-nears-six-month-mark\/\"><strong>TRUMP OPENS \u2018ECONOMIC D-DAY\u2019 OFFENSIVE AGAINST IRAN AS WAR NEARS SIX-MONTH MARK<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During Monday\u2019s press conference, Bessent sought to tamp down on criticism that the administration was pulling its punches. He declined to establish a specific deadline for countries to crack down on banks facilitating business with Iran but warned that \u201cwe do not have infinite patience.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe are giving everyone the opportunity to remedy bad behavior,\u201d Bessent said. \u201cWhy would I want to blow up the global financial system? We believe that it is important to level set and give people a cure period, but they should know that that will move very quickly and that we are serious.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bessent warns Iran sanctions are a warning, not D-Day<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2645,"featured_media":2649069,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26236673152050.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[62187,3634,36408],"class_list":["post-2649068","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-iran-sanctions","tag-trump","tag-us-foreign-policy"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP26236673152050.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649068","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2645"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2649068"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649068\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2649076,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649068\/revisions\/2649076"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2649069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2649068"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2649068"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2649068"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}