Donald Trump’s administration is set to lay out a programme of sanctions against Iran it has dubbed “economic D-Day”, despite warnings from Tehran that this will be met with an immediate response.
Treasury secretary Scott Bessent wrote in the FT yesterday that: “At dawn begins an economic D-Day – the single greatest financial offensive ever marshalled against an adversary.”
Trump had earlier promised to wage "Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale” on Iran in what he called the “toughest sanctions in history”.
Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei threatened an “earthquake-like” retaliation should the US go ahead with its plan, while also warning Trump’s Gulf neighbours against joining in any sanctions.
Should Trump "take action, our confrontation will be like an earthquake," Rezaei said.
He added: “If the countries surrounding Iran join the Americans in their economic war, not a drop of oil will leave the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and we will also target other oil export routes from the Persian Gulf.”
Read MoreStrait of Hormuz tracker: The maps and charts that debunk Trump’s claim the route has reopened
Iranian hackers carry out unprecedented attack on UK’s power network
Key Points
- Iran threatens Trump with 'earthquake-like' retaliation
- Everything you need to know as US threatens 'economic D-Day' on Iran
- The life and light of Mariam Abu Dagga – Independent Arabia journalist killed by Israel in Gaza
- Trump again claims Hormuz as 'new US territory'
Recap: Gas prices hit their highest mark ever for mid August as Trump’s Iran war drags on
04:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneGas prices on Wednesday hit their highest-ever price for mid-August earlier this month, according to GasBuddy.
Patrick De Haan, the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, reported in a post on X that gas prices have never gone above $4 per gallon after August 12 in any year.
On Wednesday morning, the average fuel price was just over $4 per gallon. The last time fuel cost nearly that much around mid-August was in 2022 when the national average gas price was $3.98 per gallon.
You can read more below:
Gas prices hit their highest mark ever for mid August as Trump’s Iran war drags on
Trump threatens to crush Iran with ‘Economic D Day’ - but he is running out of cards to play
03:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe US president has threatened to impose unprecedented economic punishment on Iran, but experts tell Maira Butt that China may prove a huge obstacle.
Trump threatens Iran with ‘Economic D Day’ - but he is running out of cards to play
Watch: Trump sheds light on plan to increase Iran sanctions
02:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneMariam’s final minutes: Inside the Israeli hospital strike that killed her – and the possible war crimes behind it
01:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneJournalist Mariam Abu Dagga was killed in the 25 August 2025 double-tap attack on Nasser Hospital in Gaza. Based on dozens of witness testimonies, whistleblowers and visual analysis, this is the most comprehensive reconstruction yet into the strike.
For Mariam: Inside Israeli hospital strike and the possible war crimes behind it
In pictures: Life in Iran continues amid uncertainty over state of war
Monday 24 August 2026 00:00 , Nicole Wootton-Cane
Trump officials worked with Iran on deportation lists as tensions exploded, emails reveal
Sunday 23 August 2026 23:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneNewly disclosed emails show US immigration officials worked directly with Iranian representatives to deport Iranian nationals in 2025, even as tensions between Washington and Tehran were escalating.
The records, obtained by the National Iranian American Council and released Tuesday, detail cooperation surrounding three removal flights in September and December 2025 and January 2026 that returned more than 100 Iranians.
The emails indicate Iranian representatives requested changes to proposed passenger lists and that US officials sometimes accommodated those requests.
You can read the full report below:
Trump officials worked with Iran on deportation as tensions exploded, emails reveal
Trump cannot let Iran make him ‘look like a loser,’ says former Fox News personality
Sunday 23 August 2026 22:00 , Nicole Wootton-CanePresident Donald Trump cannot let Iran make him “look like a loser” because his legacy is tied up in the war with the Islamic Republic, a former Fox News personality says.
Political commentator Bill O’Reilly, the former host of The O’Reilly Factor, made the remark on Tuesday night as the six-month anniversary of the start of the war draws closer.
Appearing on NewsNation’s On Balance, O’Reilly began by saying that he believes the US does have a strategy going forward in the conflict with Iran.
”From what I understand, there is some kind of strategy that will involve a tougher approach on Iran,” he claimed. “I don’t know what it is. It’s top secret, classified.”
You can read more below:
Trump cannot let Iran make him ‘look like a loser,’ says former Fox News personality
The life and light of Mariam Abu Dagga – Independent Arabia journalist killed by Israel in Gaza
Sunday 23 August 2026 21:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneMariam Abu Dagga, a mother and journalist, was killed in a 2025 Israeli double-tap attack on the last functioning hospital in South Gaza - she had a way out of Gaza but stayed to cover the slaughter. Chief international correspondent Bel Trew reports.
The life and light of Mariam Abu Dagga – journalist killed by Israel in Gaza
Federal judge strikes down Trump’s visa ban from 75 countries including Iran
Sunday 23 August 2026 20:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneA federal judge in New York has struck down a Trump administration policy that suspended visa processing for citizens of 75 nations, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia.
US District Judge Jeannette Vargas, appointed by President Joe Biden, set aside the policy Friday after ruling it "contrary to law and in excess of statutory authority."
The judge ruled Secretary of State Marco Rubio exceeded his authority in issuing the policy, which "runs afoul" of the Immigration and Nationality Act by mandating "the refusal of visas to eligible applicants without any basis in law."
You can read more below:
Judge strikes down Trump’s visa ban from 75 countries ruling Rubio exceeded authority
Watch: JD Vance says keeping gas prices low is 'goal number one' of Iran war
Sunday 23 August 2026 19:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe USS Lincoln has been at sea for 270-plus days. Here’s why conditions on board fell apart
Sunday 23 August 2026 18:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneThe food shortages and other problems that sparked outrage over substandard conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln stemmed from Iranian attacks that devastated a key Navy base on the island nation of Bahrain — leaving the ship to rely on supplies from an outpost about 2,200 miles away.
In recent weeks, relatives of some crew members went public with tales of skimpy, inedible meals, mouldy showers, broken toilets and sporadic laundry service on the Lincoln.
Military mother Danielle Rappa told NBC News that her son, who's serving on the ship, “describes the overall experience as a scene out of the [Fox TV show] American Horror Story, where he feels like everybody is dead but they don't know it yet.”
One sailor went overboard August 3 wearing a life vest and was rescued after nearly an hour in the water, and others were prevented from also jumping off the ship, according to reports.
You can read about how conditions deteriorated below:
Here’s why conditions on the USS Lincoln fell apart during its 270-plus days at sea
Chart shows traffic through Strait of Hormuz at a standstill
Sunday 23 August 2026 17:00 , Nicole Wootton-CaneWatch: Tehran warns of ‘earthquake-like’ retaliation
Sunday 23 August 2026 16:00 , Sam RkainaMPs call for UK to hold Israeli government to account for killing of journalists
Sunday 23 August 2026 15:10 , Sam RkainaMPs have urged Britain to “take the strongest measures” against the Israeli government in the wake of an investigation by The Independent into the killing of journalists, first responders and medics in a double-tap attack on one of the last functioning hospitals in Gaza.
They want Downing Street to increase sanctions and cease all trade with Israel rather than “accept weak justifications” for apparent war crimes and breaches of international humanitarian law.
In response to the investigation, International Development Committee chair and Labour MP Sarah Champion called on the government to ensure the Geneva Convention is upheld.
“Where is our outrage over journalists seemingly becoming a legitimate target? Is this the new reality; that killing civilians, medics, and humanitarian workers no longer has consequences?” she told The Independent.
“The Geneva Convention was written 77 years ago to provide some order and agreed responsibilities during the chaos of conflict. It is the international communities’ responsibility to make sure those conventions are upheld.
“Sadly, in the case of Gaza, it seems we are choosing to accept weak justifications rather than uphold international humanitarian law.”
Click here for the full story.
The life and light of Mariam Abu Dagga
Sunday 23 August 2026 14:20 , Sam RkainaMariam Abu Dagga, a mother and journalist, was killed in a 2025 Israeli double-tap attack on the last functioning hospital in South Gaza.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the killings of around 22 people as a "tragic mishap".
The Israeli military claimed the target was a camera "positioned by Hamas… to observe the activity of IDF troops" and later identified six people it called Hamas militants. Reuters soon confirmed the camera as their live feed.
A year-long investigation and reconstruction by The Independent, published today, paints a very different story to Israel’s claims, uncovering what international law experts have said is evidence of violations of international law and likely war crimes.
The Independent shared these findings with the military who declined to respond to them but added “the review is still ongoing under the General Staff Fact-Finding and Assessment Mechanism”.
Click here for more on Mariam’s life and celebrated career.
Inside the Israeli hospital strike that killed Mariam Abu Dagga
Sunday 23 August 2026 13:40 , Sam RkainaThe Independent and Independent Arabia have recreated the events surrounding the 25 August, 2025 hospital strike that killed Gaza correspondent Mariam Abu Dagga and at least 19 others.
Mariam was one of more than 20 people, including five journalists, killed by Israeli tank fire as she rushed to report on an earlier strike.
The initial attack had taken place just eight minutes beforehand, killing Reuters cameraman Hussam al-Masri as he manned his live position at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis.
Click here for the full reconstruction, minute by minute.
For Mariam: Independent investigation into Israel strike that killed journalist
Sunday 23 August 2026 13:00 , Sam RkainaIndependent Arabia journalist Mariam Abu Dagga was killed in a double-tap attack on Nasser Hospital in Gaza last August.
Based on dozens of witness testimonies, whistleblowers and visual analysis, The Independent has worked on the most comprehensive reconstruction into the deadly strike so far.
Chief international correspondent Bel Trew’s new film traces the life of the respected journalist and raises serious questions for the Israeli government to answer.
Iran discovers over 7.5 trillion cubic feet of gas, oil minister says
Sunday 23 August 2026 12:18 , Sam RkainaIran has discovered over 7.5 trillion cubic feet of gas in a field south of its Fars Province, Tehran's oil minister Mohsen Paknejad has said.
Fars is a region in the south west of the country, measuring some 122,000 km2.
