US Moves to Sharpen Iran Sanctions as Trump Downplays Midterm Stakes

Washington is poised to unleash unprecedented economic measures to intensify pressure on Iran amid ongoing conflict, with Treasury officials signaling more sanctions on the way; Trump says he doesn’t mind if the battle drags past the midterms as he touts a port blockade and control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s economy has suffered under sanctions but remains resilient, while the Hormuz dispute risks energy-price volatility if the US considers broader steps such as secondary oil sanctions. Analysts warn that further penalties without a broader deal are unlikely to force Tehran to bend, suggesting a mix of sanctions, limited strikes, and diplomacy as the likely path.