🔴 Mideast live: US unveils fresh sanctions to 'sever every economic lifeline' sustaining Iran

Home Middle East Live Middle East Issued on: 24/08/2026 - 14:50Modified: 24/08/2026 - 19:25 By: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks at a news conference in Washington on August 24, 2026. © Julia Demaree Nikhinson, AP The US on Monday expanded Iran-related secondary sanctions to five new sectors in an effort to sever "every economic lifeline" sustaining Tehran, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. The expanded sanctions came after President Donald Trump said Iran is "completely collapsing" in a message posted on social media. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates. (FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters) Yesterday's key developments: Israeli strikes in the central Gaza Strip killed three people, including a child, on Sunday, rescuers said. The strikes came two days after a Pale