Trump Declares 'Economic D-Day' Against Iran as Diplomatic Framework Expires

On August 20, 2026, Trump announced a "crushing economic operation" against Iran, threatening "tremendous economic consequences" for any country doing business with Iran. The move — secondary sanctions targeting third-party states — came three days after a US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding designed to end the war expired on August 17. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the announcement a "distraction."