On August 23, 2026, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council warned that any country backing new U.S. sanctions on Iran would be committing an 'act of war.'
The U.S. Treasury has imposed hundreds of Iran-related sanctions since President Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal in May 2018.
Iran's oil exports rebounded to roughly 1.5 million barrels per day in 2024 despite existing U.S. sanctions, according to International Energy Agency estimates.
The International Atomic Energy Agency reported in 2024 that Iran had stockpiled uranium enriched up to 60% — a short technical step from weapons-grade 90%.
U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in June 2025 targeted Iranian nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, marking the most direct U.S. military action against Iran to date.