In light of the faltering diplomatic efforts, Washington and Tehran are approaching a new military confrontation, while the tone of statements and threats is escalating, in addition to adherence to hard-line positions on both sides, and the continued exposure of ships to attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly indicated recently that he will strike Iran with “severe force” if it does not reach an agreement with his administration, suggesting that this will happen after the midterm congressional elections next month or perhaps before them. Trump also urged Tehran to make the “right decision” before it is too late, adding that he does not know “who he is dealing with in Iran.” On the other hand, Tehran responded by saying that its armed forces were prepared for a “war of attrition” or a “lightning operation” if Washington resumed attacking it.
In light of this escalation, the British Maritime Trade Operations Authority announced that it had received a report from a third party stating that the tanker was hit by an unknown projectile while crossing the Strait of Hormuz. Which led to a fire on the ship. Iran has recently intensified its attacks on commercial ships crossing the Strait. It launched about 30 drone attacks and 10 anti-ship missile attacks weekly, according to confidential data from a Western security official reported by the New York Times.
The official added that at least 4 commercial ships were hit by Iranian attacks during the past ten days, while British Navy reports indicate that at least 13 ships, most of them oil tankers, were hit by projectiles or their debris, since September 10.
Washington and Tehran are approaching a new military confrontation in light of faltering diplomatic efforts, while the tone of statements and threats is escalating, in addition to adherence to hard-line positions on both sides, and ships continuing to be targeted in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US President has repeatedly indicated recently that he will strike Iran with “severe force” if it does not reach an agreement with his administration, suggesting that this will happen after the midterm congressional elections next month, or perhaps before them. Trump also urged Tehran to make “the right decision” before it is too late, adding that he does not know “who he is dealing with in Iran.”
On the other hand, Tehran responded by saying that its armed forces were ready for a “war of attrition” or a “lightning operation” if Washington resumed attacking it.
In light of this escalation, the British Maritime Trade Operations Authority announced that it had received a report from a third party stating that the tanker was hit by an unknown projectile while crossing the Strait of Hormuz. On Friday, the tanker was attacked while exiting the Strait of Hormuz. This caused a fire on board, which was later extinguished so that it could continue its voyage, according to what was reported by the British Maritime Trade Operations Authority. The authority said that the captain reported that the tanker had been “struck by an unspecified projectile while it was sailing out of the strait.” Which led to a small fire and a power outage on board.” The authority explained, according to Agence France-Presse, that “the fire has been extinguished, and the ship continues its voyage.” The authority explained that the tanker, which did not reveal its name or the flag it was flying, continued its journey after the fire was brought under control.
Iran has recently intensified its attacks on commercial ships crossing the Strait. It launched about 30 drone attacks and 10 anti-ship missile attacks weekly, according to confidential data from a Western security official reported by the American newspaper The New York Times.
The official added that at least 4 commercial ships were hit by Iranian attacks during the past ten days, while British Navy reports indicate that at least 13 ships, most of them oil tankers, were hit by projectiles or their debris, since last September 10.
Intensification of US sanctions
In parallel with the military threats, Washington expanded the scope of its economic pressure on Tehran, with the US Treasury Department announcing, on Thursday, the imposition of new sanctions on the railway and automobile sectors in Iran, as well as foreign companies and suppliers that deal with them, in the latest steps of a campaign aimed at reducing the financial resources available to the Iranian government.
The sanctions fall within the “economic exclusion” process announced by the Treasury Department on August 24, with the aim of depriving Tehran of revenues that Washington says are used to finance the war, develop missiles, carry out cyber attacks, and support the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
The new measures target sectors that have gained increasing importance to Iran, in light of the US naval blockade that has disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, and prompted Tehran to increase its reliance on land transportation networks to transport oil, fertilizers, chemicals, and other goods.
The sanctions included the Iranian Khodro and Saipa automobile companies, which the Treasury said accounted for more than 90 percent of the domestic automobile market, as well as the state-owned Iranian Railways Company, the Raja Trains Company for passenger transport, and the Rah Ahan Transport Company, which the Ministry described as one of the largest private goods shipping companies in the country.
The sanctions also affected foreign companies in Indonesia and Turkey, which Washington accuses of supplying the Iranian auto sector with the necessary supplies to continue its activity.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent said that the new measures “directly target those who help Iran,” and pave the way for the United States and its partners to permanently drain the Iranian regime’s revenues.
The sanctions reflect an American trend towards expanding the scope of the economic blockade, so that it is not limited to disrupting maritime exports, but extends to transportation, trade, and supply networks inside and outside Iran.
However, this strategy raises concerns about its repercussions on the living conditions of Iranians, in light of the wide range of targeted sectors and its potential impact on economic activity, job opportunities, and transportation and production costs.
Russian A7 platform
As part of its efforts to clamp down on financing networks that it accuses of helping Iran circumvent sanctions, the US Treasury Department imposed new measures on the Russian “A7” financial transfer platform, accusing it of facilitating financial transactions linked to Iran, and concealing payments belonging to sectors and individuals subject to sanctions.
The ministry said on Thursday that it prohibits dealings with the platform and its agents, describing it as a “large transnational criminal organization,” noting that the new measures expand the scope of previous sanctions to include the entire network associated with it.
A7 was founded in 2024 by the Russian BSB Bank, which focuses on the defense sector, and quickly became one of the most prominent players operating in the international payments market in Russia, at a time when Moscow seeks to develop financial systems alternative to the Western system, relying on means that include cryptocurrencies, gold, and non-Western currencies, and in cooperation with major trading partners, including China and India.
In a statement issued on Friday, the platform rejected the American accusations, denying any links to Iran or terrorist organizations, and confirming that it provides payment settlement services for the Russian market, which it said is subject to illegal restrictive measures, and added that it provides its services to support legitimate import and export operations related to consumer goods and raw materials.
On the other hand, the US Treasury Department said that the platform created a global network of subsidiaries with the aim of hiding payments linked to sectors and people subject to sanctions, and presenting them as normal commercial transactions, adding that Iran and the Revolutionary Guard benefited from this network.
Araqji's proposal
In parallel with the military and economic escalation, indications have emerged of Iranian diplomatic action to contain the pressure. Informed sources reported to Bloomberg that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi proposed, during his meetings in New York, to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to access the nuclear facilities that were bombed during the war, in exchange for easing US sanctions.
According to the sources, the proposal may reflect the extent of the economic pressures facing Tehran, and its desire to reach an understanding that eases the impact of the sanctions, even though Araqchi did not provide, during his meetings, extensive details regarding the Iranian economic situation, or the nature of the concessions that his country may be prepared to make.
The proposal comes at a time when the nuclear files, sanctions, and regional security still constitute the most prominent points of disagreement between Washington and Tehran, amid American doubts about the chances of reaching a viable agreement.
While Washington continues to combine the threat of using force with the tightening of sanctions, Tehran seeks to demonstrate its readiness for military confrontation, while keeping the door open to diplomatic understandings that may allow for alleviating economic pressures. However, the continued targeting of ships in the Strait of Hormuz, and the divergence of the positions of the two parties regarding the security and nuclear files, keep the possibilities of escalation alive, and make the path that the confrontation will take depend on the extent of the two sides’ willingness to make concessions that prevent renewed military operations.
The judiciary in Iran sentenced actress Elnaz Shakerdoost to one year in prison because of her support for the demonstrators who were killed during the bloody suppression of the protests that the country witnessed in January 2026, according to what Iranian organizations abroad announced.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency “Hrana” and the independent “Emtadad” channel, which conducted an interview with the actress’s lawyer, reported that the Court of Appeal upheld the ruling issued against her, which also includes banning her from any political, artistic, or online activity for two years.
The dates of issuance of the initial and appeal rulings issued by the Iranian judiciary are not known.
Agence France-Presse has not been able to confirm at this time whether the actress is in Iran or not.
Shakerdoost, who participated in dozens of films, announced, weeks after the demonstrations were suppressed, that she would no longer work in her country, which “smells of blood,” as she described it.
Last February, the actress wrote on Instagram at the opening of the annual Fajr Film Festival in Tehran: “I cry for my dear brothers (the dead). How can a festival be held? “I will not participate in any celebrations, nor will I perform any other roles in this land that smells of blood.”
She added, on her Instagram page, that she preferred to boycott the competition, saying: “My soul cannot bear this horrific, criminal and historical tragedy.”
In early January, the Iranian authorities confronted the movement that broke out in late December 2025 with bloody repression. In protest against the high cost of living.
The movement soon turned into widespread anti-government protests, which peaked on January 8 and 9.
Non-governmental organizations speak of thousands of deaths as a result of this repression, while the Iranian authorities acknowledge that more than three thousand were killed, but attribute the violence to “terrorist acts” orchestrated by the United States and Israel.
Elnaz Shakerdoost, 42 years old, has played roles in more than 50 films over two decades, and has won a number of awards at film festivals in Iran.
