US Moves to Economically Isolate Iran as War Nears Six Months

On August 24, 2026, the Trump administration launched "Operation Economic Outcast," targeting Iran's banking access, oil trade, and military procurement — the network of channels a country uses to buy weapons. The White House says it seeks Iran's "total isolation." The move follows Treasury sanctions (government-imposed penalties) on UAE banks used by Iran, and lands on an economy where inflation has hit 84.4% and the dollar reached 2 million rials.