Iran Rejects Trump’s Economic Threats as US Warns of Unprecedented Isolation/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansor/ Iran rejected President Donald Trump’s threat of intensified economic warfare as the U.S. warned of unprecedented international isolation and secondary sanctions. Britain, Egypt and Jordan condemned an Israeli settlement project that critics say would divide the occupied West Bank and undermine Palestinian statehood. Elsewhere, Gaza held a funeral for 50 recently recovered Palestinians, while regional diplomacy continued involving Syria, Pakistan and Turkey.
Quick Look
- Iran dismissed Trump’s threat of “crushing economic measures.”
- Trump promised economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened secondary sanctions.
- China and India are major purchasers of Iranian oil.
- Britain condemned an Israeli settlement project east of Jerusalem.
- The planned development includes more than 1,200 homes.
- Egypt and Jordan also criticized the settlement project.
- Gaza City held a mass funeral for 50 Palestinians killed in 2023.
- Turkey denied sending a delegation to a Syrian air base struck by Israel.
- Syria’s foreign minister traveled to Pakistan for regional talks.
- Two Pakistani sailors killed in a Houthi attack were returned home.
Deep Look
Iran rejects Trump’s economic threats
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed President Donald Trump’s latest economic threats, arguing that Washington’s “failed policies” would deepen hostility among Iranians and “bring more failures.”
Araghchi said in a social media post that Trump’s threats were intended to divert Americans’ attention from financial problems at home.
US warns of secondary sanctions
During an interview with CNBC, Bessent warned that the United States could impose secondary sanctions on countries and companies that continue doing business with Iran.
He said Washington’s allies must decide where they stand.
China and India remain major buyers of Iranian oil, although Bessent did not identify either country by name.
Secondary sanctions could penalize foreign businesses and financial institutions for transactions involving Iran, even when those entities operate outside the United States.
Britain condemns West Bank settlement project
Britain and several Middle Eastern countries condemned a new step in an Israeli settlement project east of Jerusalem that critics say would effectively divide the occupied West Bank.
Israel’s Ministry of Construction and Housing issued a tender for several residential compounds containing more than 1,200 homes.
The project has been under consideration for more than two decades. Opponents argue that building on the open tract of land would prevent the establishment of a geographically contiguous Palestinian state.
Egypt and Jordan join criticism
Egypt and Jordan also denounced the planned Israeli construction.
Cairo warned that the development would separate east Jerusalem from its Palestinian surroundings.
Gaza buries 50 people killed in 2023
A mass funeral was held Thursday in Gaza City for 50 Palestinians killed during Israeli strikes in the opening months of the Israel-Hamas war.
Their remains were only recently recovered from beneath rubble.
Mourners carried bodies wrapped in Palestinian flags through debris-filled streets before burying them. Some carried portraits and posters showing those who had died.
The remains belonged to members of three families killed in Israeli strikes during November and December 2023.
Gaza death toll exceeds 73,400
The nearly three-year war has killed more than 73,400 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The ministry, which was part of the Hamas-run government, maintains detailed casualty records that United Nations agencies and international organizations generally regard as reliable.
Its figures do not differentiate between civilians and militants, but the ministry says women and children account for about half of the deaths.
Turkey denies visiting Syrian air base
Turkey denied that one of its military delegations had visited the Abu Duhur air base in northern Syria before Israeli forces struck the facility.
Israeli airstrikes hit the base early Tuesday, causing damage but no casualties.
Syrian officials had said a Turkish delegation visited the base before the attack to inspect rehabilitation work.
Turkey denied that account and pledged to continue supporting Syria’s efforts to rebuild its armed forces.
Syrian foreign minister visits Pakistan
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani arrived in Islamabad for talks expected to focus on regional developments.
The visit followed the Israeli attack on the northern Syrian air base.
Pakistani officials said the country’s political and military leadership remains in contact with both Iran and the United States in an effort to reduce tensions and restart negotiations.
A 60-day negotiating deadline established under a June memorandum of understanding has expired without a resolution. Pakistan helped broker the agreement with support from other regional countries.
Pakistan receives sailors killed in Houthi attack
The bodies of two Pakistani sailors killed in a Houthi attack on a Tanzanian-flagged commercial ship were repatriated.
The vessel was attacked in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait the previous week.
Six other Pakistani sailors injured in the attack also returned safely, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on X.
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