Trump Announces 'Economic D-Day' Against Iran After Diplomatic Deal Expires

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