Iran warns of 'consequences' ahead of expected new US sanctions

ran on Monday, August 24 warned that it would respond harshly to expanded US sanctions expected to be announced later in the day, saying any country supporting the measures could face consequences.

The warning came as tensions remained high across the Middle East, with Israeli and Syrian officials holding US-mediated talks after an Israeli strike in Syria and Israel announcing that it had killed another Hamas militant in Gaza.

Iran warns of consequences over new US sanctions

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran would respond to the new US sanctions, including measures targeting countries that Iran believes are cooperating with Washington.

“Any escalation of this situation will undoubtedly bring about consequences,” Baghaei said, adding, “Our hands are not tied.”

The warning followed a statement by the new head of Iran's top security body on Sunday that Tehran would regard support for the sanctions by any country as an “act of war”.

The United States is preparing to expand sanctions following weeks of deadlock. Washington has so far been unable to dislodge Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route through which about a fifth of the world's traded oil passed before the war began nearly six months ago.

Iran has demanded that the US lift its naval blockade, withdraw its forces from the region and provide reparations for damage caused during the conflict as conditions for reopening the strait.

Tehran has also held separate discussions with Oman, which lies on the opposite side of the waterway, on jointly managing the strait irrespective of whether a new agreement is reached with Washington.

US sanctions have historically contributed to higher prices for basic goods in Iran. However, after years of living under sanctions, the Iranian economy has adapted by developing domestic industries and establishing trading relationships with new partners.

The Iranian currency fell to a record low on Monday ahead of the anticipated US announcement.

Israeli, Syrian officials hold talks after airstrike

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani met a senior Israeli delegation in Jordan over the weekend in an effort to reduce tensions following an Israeli airstrike on a Syrian air base last week, Syrian state news agency SANA reported.

The Sunday meeting, mediated by the United States, focused on reviving negotiations for a possible future security agreement, according to SANA.

Israel had struck the Abu Duhur air base in Idlib province, saying the operation was intended to prevent Turkey from establishing a presence there. Turkey has backed the new Syrian government's efforts to rebuild its military following 14 years of civil war.

During the discussions, Syrian officials asserted their right to build up their armed forces and establish alliances freely with other countries.

They also demanded that Israeli forces withdraw from a buffer zone in southern Syria that Israel has occupied since December 2024. Syria reiterated its position that the Golan Heights, captured by Israel during the 1967 Middle East war and subsequently annexed, remains Syrian territory.

There was no immediate comment from Israeli officials on the meeting.

Israel says Hamas militant killed in Gaza

The Israeli military said it killed a militant linked to Hamas' special forces unit in an overnight airstrike in Gaza.

The strike was the latest targeted killing announced by Israel since US officials met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week in an effort to advance the ceasefire agreement reached last year.

Israel says its military operations target Palestinian militants who participated in the October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war.

Israel has announced targeted strikes on six of the seven days since US negotiator Jared Kushner met Netanyahu.

At least 1,288 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire began last October, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which is run by the Hamas-controlled government. The ministry's casualty figures are generally regarded as reliable by the international community.

Palestinian American says movement remains restricted in West Bank

Loui Ridi, a Palestinian American homeowner whose residence in the occupied West Bank village of Qusra was surrounded by Israeli settlers earlier this month, said he remains unable to move freely in the area.

Ridi travelled from Ohio to join relatives defending his home a week ago.

The Israeli military declared the area a closed zone in an attempt to restore order in Qusra. Ridi said settlers continued returning to the hill overlooking his home throughout the week.

The occupants have been unable to leave freely since Israeli settlers surrounded the house more than two weeks ago. Israeli soldiers have encouraged them to leave, but Israeli police have not announced any arrests.

The incident and the Israeli response have drawn condemnation from Israeli rights organisations and officials abroad. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee described the violence as terrorism.

The West Bank is regarded by Palestinians as the centre of any future independent state. About 3 million Palestinians and 560,000 Israeli settlers live there, and Palestinians have strongly criticised Israel's expansion in the territory.

Violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians has risen sharply this year.

(With inputs from PTI)