Дата публикации: 21-08-2026 10:51:39

Iran threatens ‘devastating’ response as US ramps up sanctions
Welcome back to the Daily Briefing.This is Ezgi Akin, filling in for Gabrielle. In today’s edition:Iran military threatens ‘devastating’ response as US ramps up sanctionsSyrian Kurds announce integration with DamascusUS Treasury issues Hezbollah Iran-linked sanctionsHundreds of Tunisians protest government, water shortagesThanks for reading,Ezgi (ezgi_akin)Iran military threatens ‘devastating’ response as US ramps up sanctionsPeople ride past a mural depicting the late leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and the late Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on a street in Tehran, Iran, June 9, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS Iran’s military threatened Friday to answer any new US action with a “devastating” response as Washington moves to intensify economic pressure on Tehran.“With preparedness across land, sea, air, air defense and cyberspace, Iran’s armed forces will respond to the enemy’s new threats with crushing, punishing and devastating responses,” said Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, according to Iranian news reports.The warning followed US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s announcement that Washington was preparing what he called the toughest sanctions ever imposed on Iran, as the Trump administration seeks to further squeeze Tehran economically following months of military confrontation and stalled diplomacy.Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Tehran’s main negotiator in mediated talks with Washington, argued that the United States had turned increasingly to economic pressure after failing to achieve its objectives through direct military force.“We must make plans to deal with the unjust sanctions so that we can overcome them,” Ghalibaf said during a visit to neighboring Iraq. He accused the United States and Israel of waging economic and “cognitive” warfare against Iran and called for measures to reduce the country’s vulnerability to sanctions.Listen to a breakdown of the top headlines on today’s episode of the Middle East Minute podcast with Adam Lucente.Syrian Kurds announce completion of integration with DamascusSDF commander-in-chief Mazloum Kobane, speaking during a press conference in Syria's northeastern city of Hasakeh on Dec. 6, 2024 — Delil SOULEIMANSyrian Kurdish leader Mazloum Kobane said on Thursday that the integration of Kurdish civil, military and security institutions into the Syrian state had been completed.“The phase of integrating military, security and administrative institutions into national state institutions is complete and finished,” Kobane, head of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, said in Qamishli, adding that Kurdish efforts would now focus on securing rights in Syria’s constitution.The integration follows a January agreement between Kobane, who is also known as Abdi, and President Ahmed al-Sharaa after government forces recaptured significant Kurdish-held territory. Damascus has since taken control of Qamishli airport, key oil fields and major northeastern cities, while Kurdish officials have received positions within state institutions.US Treasury issues Hezbollah Iran-linked sanctionsUS Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent speaks to members of the press outside the West Wing at the White House on Aug. 20 in Washington. — Photo by Alex Wong/Getty ImagesThe US Treasury sanctioned 10 people Thursday over an alleged cash-smuggling network supporting Hezbollah and revised the militant group’s designation to emphasize its role as an Iranian proxy under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force. US officials said the network used couriers on commercial flights linking Lebanon, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Iran to move hundreds of millions of dollars outside the formal banking system. The Treasury identified Turkish businessman Yunus Alper Yilmaz as a key organizer, accusing him of using Turkey-based exchange houses as fronts. The measures came as the Trump administration intensifies economic pressure on Iran and entities accused of helping Tehran circumvent sanctions. Elizabeth Hagedorn reports from Washington.Hundreds of Tunisians protest government, water shortagesTunisians protest against President Kais Saied, demanding the restoration of democracy and calling for the release of jailed activists and journalists amid a worsening economic and social crisis, in Tunis, Tunisia, August 20, 2026. REUTERS/Jihed Abidellaoui Hundreds of Tunisians protested in the capital Thursday against President Kais Saied, demanding his departure, the release of jailed opposition figures and the restoration of democratic rule. Demonstrators accused Saied of imposing one-man rule and worsening the country’s political and economic crisis and denounced declining public services, shortages and rising living costs. The protest followed a similar rally in July marking five years since Saied dismissed the government and later dissolved parliament and began ruling by decree. Rights groups accuse his government of repressing opponents and undermining judicial independence. Saied rejects the accusations, saying his actions target corruption and threats to the state.
eakin@al-monitor.com
Fri, 08/21/2026 - 06:51



Ezgi Akin



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