While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Aug 21, 2026

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US warns allies, China to back economic war on Iran The United States on Aug 20 warned allies and China alike to join President Donald Trump’s new campaign to isolate the Iranian economy and “collapse” the government in Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s comments underscored how Trump is shifting to economic rather than military pressure on Tehran as his unpopular war drags towards the six-month mark. Under pressure at home over the impact of the war and with crucial midterm elections looming, Trump had on Aug 19 promised the “most crushing” economic operation ever against Iran. “It is going…

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