This live blog follows the latest developments across the Middle East crisis, including regional diplomacy, maritime security, ceasefire negotiations, and economic fallout.

Catch up on Monday's top developments here:

  • CDF Munir concludes Tehran visit as Iran backs ‘enduring peace’ efforts
  • Iran says US not in position to further restrict global relations
  • US expands Iran-related secondary sanctions threat
  • Trump says Iran 'collapsing' ahead of sanctions announcement 
  • Oil falls as Trump pledges economic war on Iran


Monday’s important developments at a glance

Published: Aug 25, 2026 | 00:00GMT | by Web Desk


US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran was "collapsing" hours before the US government expanded its Iran-related secondary sanctions threats to target five major sectors. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent issued determinations against five critical sectors — digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping — that the Iranian regime uses to try to prop up its failing economy. 


In response, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Americans know that “no one buys their bombast,” arguing that the US was not in an economic position to further restrict its relations with other countries.


In continuation with the secondary sanctions, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also said that Washington was “by no means” ruling out strikes “anywhere in the Strait of Hormuz or around Iran.”


“If Iran is foolish enough to overplay their hand or mess with the American military, we'll do what we need to do,” Hegseth said while urging US defense contractors to "pivot to a wartime footing."


Separately, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir concluded a day-long visit to Tehran as part of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to end the stalemate in the US-Iran conflict and seek a lasting end to regional instability.


Meanwhile, oil prices fell as investors braced for details of a US plan to isolate the Iranian economy.


For earlier developments, read our Aug 24 live blog here.