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ABC News

Iran updates: Iran officials push back against Trump's 'economic D-Day' threat

PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, August 21, 2026.
2:00
Evan Vucci/Reuters
Iran officials push back against Trump's 'economic D-Day' threat
By David Brennan, Nadine El-Bawab
Last Updated: August 19, 2026, 8:27 PM

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israeli strikes targeting military, government and infrastructure sites.

Delegations from the U.S. and Iran entered negotiations in June aimed at a war-ending deal based on a memorandum of understanding signed by both countries.

The U.S. and Iran have nonetheless continued to exchange strikes, with the strategic Strait of Hormuz the primary flashpoint.

Key Headlines

  • 'Not a single drop of oil will be exported' if 'economic war' continues, Iran official says
  • Iran's security chief talks war with US, Trump, Strait of Hormuz, nuclear weapons
  • US put Mideast allies at risk for Israel's sake, Iran's chief negotiator says
  • IRGC spokesman says Iran has upgraded its military capabilities
  • Bessent says if Trump puts 'maximum economic pressure' on Iran, 'large-scale' military strikes not likely to restart
Here's how the news is developing.

Aug 19, 2026 8:27 PM

UAE announces indefinite Iran trade embargo on Iran

The United Arab Emirates announced an indefinite trade embargo on Iran on Wednesday, accusing Iranian forces of firing two ballistic missiles at its territory.

Iran denied launching missiles and described the reported attack as a "false flag operation" by Israel and the U.S.

According to the World Trade Organization, trade between the two countries was worth roughly $28 billion in 2024 -- the last year where there is a full data set.

Iran imported roughly $21 billion in goods from the UAE, and the UAE imported about $7 billion from Iran. Iran’s top import from the UAE was electronics, and its top export was oil, per the WTO.

But more important than the bilateral commercial trade relationship is the suspension of financial transactions. Shadow companies in the UAE help Iran export oil, and exchange houses help Iran move money around without accessing the formal global banking system.

It is unclear if the U.S. played a role in the UAE's decision or if this is part of the current financial squeeze strategy by U.S., but the announcement came after a call between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahya.

-ABC News' Shannon Crawford and Chris Boccia


Aug 19, 2026 4:56 PM

Trump said formal negotiations with Iran could reopen 'maybe at some point'

President Donald Trump said formal negotiations with Iran could reopen "maybe at some point" but that the "situation is so good" right now.

Trump claimed the U.S. controls the Strait of Hormuz except for when Iranians “shoot a drone every once in a while," something he brushed off as a "nuisance value."

"Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and they won't," Trump said, when asked whether he’d restart talks with Iran.

The president then said "a lot of boats" came through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday night, touting U.S. control over the waterway but notably saying that persistent attacks on vessels are an annoyance, or "nuisance value."

He went on to further tout oil prices, once again claiming that they will further lower "when this is over."


Aug 19, 2026 10:27 AM

Iranian commander warns Gulf states against helping US military

Iran's armed forces Chief of Staff Gen. Ali Abdollahi warned on Wednesday that any countries in the Persian Gulf that offer assistance to the U.S. military will be considered collaborators by Tehran.

"It is unlikely that such a large number of military aircraft, especially refueling planes, would be present at regional bases without the knowledge of the host countries," Abdollahi said in a statement.

-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian



Aug 19, 2026 6:46 AM

Rubio speaks with UAE national security adviser after alleged missile attack

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by phone on Tuesday with the United Arab Emirates' national security adviser Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, after Abu Dhabi accused Iran of launching a new missile attack on the Gulf country -- one that Tehran denied responsibility for.

A statement from the State Department's Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that the two officials "discussed a number of regional security issues, including Lebanon, as well as continued U.S.-UAE coordination to hold Iran and its terrorist proxies accountable for ongoing attacks."

"Secretary Rubio underscored the importance of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz," Pigott said.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston


Aug 18, 2026 3:29 PM

Dubai residents told to seek shelter amid missile threats

Residents in Dubai have been told to seek shelter after UAE air defense systems detected a missile threat targeting the county.

"Please remain in a safe location and follow warnings and updates issued through official channels," the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority of the UAE said Tuesday.


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