Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC — The United States has imposed sanctions on a Türkiye-based financial institution and two of its subsidiaries, accusing them of providing critical international banking access to Iran and facilitating tens of millions of dollars in transactions linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF).

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the action Friday as part of Operation Economic Outcast, a broader campaign aimed at disrupting Iran’s access to international financial networks and cutting off revenue streams that Washington says support the Iranian regime’s regional activities.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Golden Global Yatirim Bankasi Anonim Sirketi, also known as Golden Global Bank, under Executive Order 13902. Two Türkiye-based subsidiaries—Golden Global Varlik Kiralama Anonim Sirketi and Golden Global Portfoy Yonetimi Anonim Sirketi—were also designated.

According to the Treasury Department, Golden Global Bank provided correspondent banking services to Iranian financial institutions, allowing funds connected to Iran to move through the international financial system.

Treasury alleged that the bank was established to facilitate the transfer of Iranian oil revenues from China to Türkiye, where the proceeds could subsequently be converted into cash and gold through money exchangers associated with Iran’s financial networks.

The department also said the bank knowingly facilitated transactions involving accounts controlled by the IRGC-QF and its proxies. Treasury specifically cited a network connected to Turkish businessman Sitki Ayan and his companies, which the U.S. sanctioned in 2022 over alleged involvement in moving hundreds of millions of dollars related to IRGC-QF oil sales.

“Financial institutions continue to find out the hard way that we are serious about Operation Economic Outcast,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in announcing the action.

The Treasury said the latest sanctions are intended to send a warning to financial institutions around the world that facilitating Iranian sanctions evasion or illicit financial activity could result in restrictions on access to the U.S. financial system.

Part of broader pressure campaign

The action is the latest development in Operation Economic Outcast, which Treasury Secretary Bessent announced on Aug. 24. The campaign focuses on financial networks that the U.S. says Iran uses to generate revenue, evade sanctions and move money internationally.

Treasury said Iran’s existing U.S. sanctions have pushed the country toward multinational “shadow banking” networks that provide access to international financial channels, including U.S. dollar correspondent banking relationships.

Washington has increasingly targeted financial intermediaries outside Iran that it says help Iranian institutions access the global financial system. On Aug. 28, the Treasury Department announced measures targeting Iran’s access to banks in the United Arab Emirates, including a proposed rule that would restrict Banque Misr UAE’s correspondent banking access to U.S. financial institutions.

Sanctions take effect immediately

Under the latest action, property and interests in property belonging to the designated entities that are in the United States or under the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.

U.S. persons are generally prohibited from conducting transactions involving the blocked entities unless authorized by OFAC. The sanctions can also affect foreign financial institutions that knowingly conduct or facilitate certain significant transactions involving sanctioned persons.

OFAC said it has also issued Iran General License CC, which authorizes a limited wind-down of certain transactions involving persons blocked in the Sept. 4 action. The Treasury Department said it will continue identifying financial institutions and other intermediaries that provide Iran with access to international financial channels.

Washington has said the ultimate objective of the sanctions campaign is to pressure Tehran to abandon activities that the U.S. considers destabilizing, including support for armed groups in the Middle East and efforts related to its military capabilities.

Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

NEW DELHI — India hosted a meeting of senior officials from the Quad countries in New Delhi on Thursday, with the four nations reviewing ongoing initiatives and discussing ways to strengthen practical cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri hosted the Quad Sherpas’ Meeting, which was attended by Elly Lawson, Deputy Secretary of the Strategic Planning & Coordination Group at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Hiroyuki Namazu, Japan’s Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs; and Sergio Gor, the U.S. Special Envoy to South and Central Asia and Ambassador to India.

The meeting followed the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi on May 26, 2026, and focused on implementing the outcomes of that meeting while preparing for the next gathering of Quad foreign ministers.

The Sherpas reviewed progress on a range of ongoing Quad initiatives and explored ways to deepen practical cooperation among Australia, India, Japan and the United States. The officials reiterated their shared commitment to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, amid evolving security, economic and geopolitical challenges across the region.

According to the media note, discussions covered several major areas of Quad cooperation, including maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response.

The officials also exchanged views on developments across the Indo-Pacific as well as broader regional and global issues. The meeting placed particular emphasis on translating the Quad’s commitments into concrete and action-oriented initiatives, reflecting the grouping’s increasing focus on practical cooperation rather than solely diplomatic coordination.

The Sherpas reaffirmed the importance of continued consultations among the four countries and said they looked forward to further discussions ahead of the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

The Quad—comprising Australia, India, Japan and the United States—has increasingly focused on cooperation in areas ranging from regional security and maritime awareness to emerging technologies, economic resilience and disaster response. Thursday’s meeting in New Delhi is part of the continuing diplomatic process aimed at coordinating the group’s priorities and advancing initiatives across the Indo-Pacific.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States imposed new sanctions on Cuba on Thursday, targeting a member of the Castro family, a Cuban state-owned bank and four entities linked to the country’s mining and energy sectors as the Trump administration stepped up pressure on Havana.

The U.S. Department of State said the latest measures target five entities and one individual under President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14404, which authorizes sanctions against foreign persons determined to meet specified criteria related to repression in Cuba and other threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy.

The administration said the measures are part of a broader effort to disrupt the Cuban government’s financial networks and restrict its ability to obtain resources used to sustain its economic and security apparatus.

Castro Family Member Added to Sanctions List

Among those designated Thursday is Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis, a grandson of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro. According to the State Department, Castro Calis was designated because he is an adult family member of Alejandro Castro Espín, who was previously designated under Executive Order 14404.

Alejandro Castro Espín, the son of Raúl Castro, and his son Raúl Alejandro Castro Calis, the brother of Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis, were designated on June 4, 2026. The latest action expands the administration’s sanctions targeting members of the Castro family and individuals it says are connected to Cuba’s ruling establishment.

Cuban State-Owned Bank Targeted

The United States also designated Banco Exterior de Cuba, a Cuban state-owned bank that specializes in corporate banking, foreign-trade financing and international transactions. The State Department said the bank was sanctioned for operating in or having operated in Cuba’s financial-services sector.

The designation could further complicate Cuba’s access to international financial channels and increase compliance risks for foreign banks and businesses conducting transactions involving the Cuban financial system.

Mining Sector Comes Under Pressure

Two Cuban entities connected to the country’s metals and mining industry were also designated. They are Empresa de Servicios Comandante Rene Ramos Latour (NICAROTEC) and Empresa Importadora y Abastecedora del Niquel (CEXNI).

NICAROTEC is described by the State Department as a Cuban state-owned industrial and technical services company that provides geological and mining support to the country’s nickel industry. CEXNI is a foreign-trade and logistics company that imports and supplies specialized raw materials, machinery and equipment for Cuba’s nickel and cobalt industries. The move puts additional pressure on an important segment of Cuba’s natural-resource economy, particularly its nickel and cobalt operations.

Energy Companies Also Sanctioned

The administration also targeted two companies associated with Cuba’s energy sector. Empresa Importadora de Abastecimiento para el Petroleo (ABAPET) was designated because it is owned, controlled or directed by, or acts on behalf of, Unión Cuba-Petróleo (CUPET), Cuba’s state oil company.

The State Department said ABAPET provides procurement support for CUPET and has imported technological equipment, spare parts, specialized tools and industrial inputs needed to sustain Cuba’s energy sector.

The United States also designated Comercial CUPET S.A., a Cuban state-owned company that represents CUPET in negotiations and joint ventures with foreign companies. The designations could make it more difficult for Cuba’s energy sector to obtain foreign equipment, financing and business partnerships.

Sanctions Block Property and Restrict Transactions

Under Executive Order 14404, property and interests in property belonging to the designated individuals and entities that are located in the United States or under the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The order also applies to entities that are owned individually or collectively, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons.

U.S. persons are generally prohibited from conducting transactions involving property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons unless the transaction is authorized by an OFAC general or specific license or is otherwise exempt. The restrictions include providing or receiving funds, goods or services involving blocked persons.

Foreign Banks and Companies Face Sanctions Risk

The new measures could also have consequences beyond U.S. companies and citizens. The State Department warned that foreign persons engaging in transactions with individuals or entities designated under Executive Order 14404, or operating in certain identified Cuban sectors, could themselves face sanctions.

The sectors identified under the order include energy, defense and related materiel, metals and mining, financial services and security. The warning is particularly significant for foreign financial institutions, which may face increased sanctions and compliance risks when dealing with Cuban entities subject to U.S. restrictions.

The State Department also cautioned non-U.S. persons against returning blocked assets to sanctioned parties or transferring such assets to another jurisdiction for potential use by a designated target.

Part of Broader Cuba Policy

The latest measures are part of a broader Trump administration policy aimed at increasing pressure on the Cuban government. The United States has maintained a longstanding sanctions and embargo framework against Cuba, including the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR). The new measures add further targeted restrictions to that existing framework rather than creating an entirely new Cuba embargo.

The administration has said its Cuba policy is intended to promote human rights, the rule of law, free markets, private enterprise and democratic governance. In its statement Thursday, the State Department argued that the Cuban people continue to face economic hardship while the Castro family and other regime-linked elites retain control over significant economic resources.

Washington Says Goal Is Behavioral Change

The State Department said the purpose of sanctions is not simply to punish individuals or institutions. “The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior,” the department said.

The administration says the sanctions are designed to weaken the financial networks and economic structures that support what Washington describes as Cuba’s repressive government. The measures also reflect President Trump’s stated goal of supporting what his administration describes as a “free Cuba.”

Sanctions Expand in 2026

Thursday’s action is the latest in a series of U.S. sanctions targeting Cuban individuals and state-linked institutions during 2026. The Trump administration has increasingly focused its Cuba policy on individuals associated with the country’s ruling structure as well as strategic sectors of the economy, including financial services, energy, mining and other industries.

The September 3 designations further expand that approach by targeting a state-owned bank, companies connected to Cuba’s nickel and cobalt industries, and entities linked to the country’s oil and energy sector. The new measures are expected to increase pressure on Cuba’s ability to access international financial services, obtain industrial equipment and maintain foreign commercial partnerships.

However, the sanctions do not mean that every transaction involving Cuba is prohibited. U.S. sanctions regulations include specific exemptions and licensing provisions for certain activities.

The broader question now is whether the intensified economic pressure will force meaningful changes by the Cuban government—or further deepen the economic difficulties already facing the Cuban population.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC — President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States intends to seek repayment from European countries for military assistance and ammunition previously provided to Ukraine, opening a new front in his administration’s long-running dispute with European allies over the cost of supporting Kyiv. In a social media post, Trump said European nations should reimburse the United States for military aid that Washington provided to Ukraine and NATO without charging European governments directly.

Trump characterized the amount as involving “hundreds of billions of dollars” and said Europe would have paid for the assistance if it had been asked to do so at the time. The president’s comments represent a significant escalation in his criticism of the financial burden the United States has carried during the Ukraine war.

They also come at a particularly sensitive moment for Washington, as the United States is simultaneously engaged in a major military confrontation with Iran and is confronting concerns about the availability of key weapons and ammunition.

U.S. weapons stocks under pressure

Trump’s demand for repayment comes as his administration is focusing heavily on rebuilding American weapons inventories. In his Thursday statement, Trump criticized reports that U.S. ammunition stockpiles have been significantly depleted. He said the United States is now prioritizing weapons for its own military rather than continuing to sell the same quantities to other countries.

Trump indicated that weapons sales to U.S. allies could resume in the near future, but emphasized that American stockpiles are currently receiving priority. The issue has gained additional urgency because of the ongoing U.S. military campaign against Iran.

Reuters previously reported that the U.S. Army has used a substantial portion of its stockpile of highly accurate, long-range missiles during the Iran conflict, raising questions about America’s ability to respond to another major military contingency.

The combination of the Ukraine war and the Iran conflict has therefore created an unusual strategic challenge for the Pentagon: Washington is supporting partners overseas while simultaneously trying to ensure that its own forces retain sufficient weapons for future operations.

Trump challenges the traditional U.S.-Europe arrangement

Trump has repeatedly argued that European countries should shoulder more of the financial burden for their own security and for assistance to Ukraine. His latest comments go further by suggesting that Europe should retroactively compensate the United States for assistance already delivered. That position could create difficult conversations between Washington and European capitals.

European governments have provided substantial military, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Europe has also increasingly taken responsibility for purchasing American weapons for Ukraine through mechanisms in which NATO allies finance U.S.-made equipment.

A Congressional spending analysis cited by the Council on Foreign Relations estimates that the United States had made available roughly $195 billion in spending related to the Ukraine war as of March 31, 2026. However, that figure includes a wide range of war-related spending and should not be interpreted as money directly handed to the Ukrainian government.

The distinction is important because much of U.S. Ukraine-related spending has supported American military production, logistics, replacement of U.S. stocks and other activities associated with the war.

Europe has already increased its role

European countries have significantly expanded their own support for Ukraine. The United States under Trump has also supported a system in which NATO allies pay for American weapons that are then provided to Ukraine. Under the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL, European and other NATO countries finance the purchase of U.S. weapons for Kyiv rather than requiring Washington to bear the full cost. The arrangement has allowed Ukraine to obtain advanced American systems while shifting more of the financial responsibility toward European allies.

A British Parliament research briefing published in August noted that the Trump administration had made clear that the United States would not pay for new assistance supplied through the PURL mechanism; NATO allies would finance the purchases. Trump’s latest demand nevertheless suggests that the president believes the existing burden-sharing arrangements do not go far enough.

Ukraine faces continuing pressure

For Ukraine, the development comes at a difficult time. Kyiv remains heavily dependent on Western military assistance, particularly air-defense systems, missiles, ammunition and other advanced weapons needed to defend against Russian attacks. Any reduction in American weapons availability could place additional pressure on European governments to increase their own contributions.

The issue is particularly sensitive for air defense. Ukraine has relied heavily on American-made systems and interceptors, while European governments have struggled to provide enough comparable equipment from their own inventories. The growing European role has therefore become both a financial and strategic necessity.

Trump’s comments linked to Iran war

The timing of Trump’s announcement is significant. The president’s comments came while the United States is engaged in the separate war with Iran, which has created additional demand for American precision-guided weapons. The Iran conflict has raised concerns inside Washington about whether U.S. weapons inventories are sufficient to sustain prolonged operations while simultaneously meeting commitments to allies.

Trump’s message indicates that the administration is responding by putting U.S. military requirements ahead of some foreign sales. That could affect not only Ukraine but also other American allies that depend on U.S.-manufactured weapons. The president said weapons sales to allies would eventually resume, suggesting that the administration views the current restrictions as a temporary measure while American stockpiles are rebuilt.

A new burden-sharing debate

Trump’s demand could also reopen a broader debate over NATO and transatlantic security. For decades, the United States has provided the backbone of NATO’s military capabilities, while European allies have often spent less on defense than Washington. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine dramatically changed that calculation.

European governments have increased defense spending and begun expanding domestic weapons production. But European militaries remain dependent on the United States for several critical capabilities, including strategic airlift, intelligence, missile defense and advanced weapons systems.

A report released Thursday by the European Court of Auditors warned that the European Union still faces major challenges in achieving its goal of defense readiness by 2030, including fragmented national systems, industrial bottlenecks and continued reliance on the United States. The report illustrates why Trump’s pressure on European allies is likely to continue.

Potential impact on NATO

Trump’s demand also raises questions about the future relationship between Washington and European allies. European governments may argue that they have already spent enormous sums supporting Ukraine and strengthening their own militaries. Washington, meanwhile, can point to decades of American spending on NATO’s collective defense and the extensive U.S. military assistance provided to Ukraine.

The disagreement is therefore about more than a single bill. It reflects a fundamental question about how the transatlantic alliance should divide the costs of security in an increasingly dangerous international environment. If European countries are asked to make retroactive payments for American assistance, negotiations could become particularly complicated.

There is also the question of how such payments would be calculated and whether the proposed reimbursement would cover the cost of weapons transferred directly from U.S. stockpiles, the cost of replacing those weapons, or broader U.S. spending related to the war. Trump did not provide a detailed mechanism for calculating or collecting the payments in his Thursday statement.

Russia watches the dispute

The growing disagreement between Washington and Europe is also being closely watched in Moscow. Russia has long sought to weaken Western unity over support for Ukraine and has portrayed the war as evidence of a broader confrontation between Russia and NATO.

Any significant reduction in U.S. support or disagreement among NATO members could therefore have consequences beyond the immediate financial dispute. At the same time, European governments are unlikely to abandon Ukraine simply because Washington is demanding greater financial responsibility.

Instead, Trump’s latest comments could encourage Europe to accelerate efforts to build an independent defense industry and reduce its reliance on American weapons. That process, however, would take years rather than months.

What comes next?

Trump’s announcement is likely to trigger discussions between Washington and European governments over the financial responsibilities associated with Ukraine. The immediate question will be whether European allies accept the principle of retroactive reimbursement or reject the proposal. A second question will be how the dispute affects future American weapons sales.

If U.S. weapons production remains under pressure because of the Iran conflict, European countries could face stronger incentives to finance American weapons directly for Ukraine while simultaneously increasing their own defense production.

For Ukraine, the key concern will be whether American weapons deliveries continue at a level sufficient to meet battlefield requirements. For Europe, the challenge will be balancing continued support for Kyiv with the need to rebuild national military inventories. And for Washington, the administration must balance support for allies with the increasingly urgent requirement to maintain adequate U.S. weapons stocks.

A changing transatlantic relationship

Trump’s latest demand is another sign that the traditional model of American leadership in European security is changing. The president has repeatedly called for NATO allies to spend more and take greater responsibility for their own defense. His demand that Europe reimburse the United States for past Ukraine assistance pushes that argument into new territory.

Whether European governments ultimately agree to Trump’s proposal remains uncertain. But the message from Washington is unmistakable: the Trump administration wants America’s allies to carry a much larger share of the financial burden for military security.

With the Ukraine war continuing, the Iran conflict consuming American weapons and Europe confronting its own defense shortcomings, the dispute over who should pay for Western security is likely to remain one of the most important issues shaping the transatlantic alliance.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC — President Donald Trump has warned Iran that the United States is prepared to launch additional military strikes, as the latest round of fighting between Washington and Tehran threatens to widen into a broader regional conflict.

Trump’s warning came after U.S. forces conducted a major wave of strikes against Iranian targets, which the U.S. military said included air-defense systems, radar installations, maritime assets, mine-laying capabilities and communications facilities.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said the United States had hit Iran “very hard” and was prepared to carry out another attack whenever he believed it was necessary. The warning came as Iran continued its retaliation against U.S. positions and regional countries hosting American forces.

Iran launches missiles and drones toward Kuwait

The conflict took another dangerous turn Thursday when Kuwait said its air-defense systems confronted incoming Iranian missiles and drones. Kuwait hosts several U.S. military facilities and has become increasingly exposed to the consequences of the widening U.S.–Iran confrontation. The Kuwaiti military said the attacks were hostile missile and drone strikes originating from Iran, although it did not immediately report casualties.

The latest attack follows Iranian strikes and attempted strikes against locations associated with U.S. forces across the Gulf and surrounding region. The developments have raised fears that the conflict could increasingly involve U.S. allies and partners, turning the confrontation between Washington and Tehran into a wider regional crisis.

U.S. strikes target Iranian military infrastructure

The Pentagon’s Central Command said the latest U.S. operation targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps facilities and military infrastructure. Among the targets were air-defense sites, radar systems, maritime equipment, communications facilities and capabilities that the United States says could threaten shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

The waterway is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, carrying a significant portion of global oil shipments. The renewed fighting has already disrupted commercial shipping through the area. Reuters reported Thursday that only six vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, compared with a normal daily average of about 13.

Civilian casualties increase pressure on Washington

The latest U.S. strikes have also generated concern over civilian casualties. Iranian officials reported that a strike in southern Iran hit a wedding gathering, with civilians among those killed and wounded. U.S. Central Command said the American military does not target civilians and said it was reviewing the reports.

Reuters reported Thursday that Iranian officials had reported 18 civilian deaths and more than 100 people wounded in the latest U.S. strikes. The competing claims have become another source of tension as the two sides present sharply different accounts of the conflict.

The United States maintains that its operations are directed against Iranian military capabilities, while Iranian officials accuse Washington of attacking civilian infrastructure and violating international law.

Iran reports military casualties

Iran has also suffered significant military losses during the latest American strikes. According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, at least 13 Iranian military personnel have been killed in U.S. strikes this week. The reported dead include members of Iran’s regular military, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its paramilitary forces.

The casualties come after a month-long lull in major direct hostilities. The latest fighting began again over the weekend, with the United States saying it had attacked Iranian launchers preparing to fire rockets into the Strait of Hormuz. Iran then retaliated against U.S.-linked targets in the region.

Gulf states caught between Washington and Tehran

The widening conflict is placing America’s Gulf partners in an increasingly difficult position. Countries including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates host important U.S. military facilities while maintaining their own relationships with the United States and other international powers.

Iran’s attacks or attempted attacks against locations in these countries raise the possibility that regional governments could become directly involved in the conflict even if they do not seek confrontation with Tehran.

Kuwait’s latest experience illustrates the problem. Although Kuwait is not a direct party to the U.S.–Iran war, its territory and military infrastructure are exposed because of the presence of American forces. Analysts have warned that Gulf states could face increasing pressure if Washington and Tehran continue exchanging attacks.

Strait of Hormuz becomes critical flashpoint

The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as one of the most important flashpoints in the conflict. The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and is critical to international energy markets. Any prolonged disruption could affect oil supplies, shipping costs and fuel prices around the world.

Oil markets reacted sharply to the latest escalation. Reuters reported Thursday that Brent crude rose to around $96 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude approached $92 a barrel, putting both benchmarks near six-week highs. Higher energy prices could eventually increase transportation and consumer costs and add to inflationary pressures in the United States and other economies.

Pentagon prepares for a prolonged conflict

The military situation also suggests that Washington is preparing for the possibility that the conflict could last longer than initially expected.The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has extended Middle East deployments into 2027. Approximately 50,000 U.S. troops remain in the region, supported by warships, air-defense systems, fighter aircraft and other military assets.

The deployment decisions indicate that, despite Trump’s public suggestion that the renewed campaign would not continue indefinitely, the Pentagon is maintaining a substantial military presence in the region.

That creates a complicated policy situation for the Trump administration. On one hand, the president has signaled that he wants to maintain pressure on Iran and has repeatedly warned Tehran against attacking American forces. On the other, prolonged military operations carry significant costs and risks, particularly if American forces become increasingly exposed to Iranian retaliation.

Political pressure grows ahead of midterm elections

The conflict is also unfolding against the backdrop of the November 2026 midterm elections. Reuters has reported that some Trump administration officials want to avoid allowing the war to dominate the political environment before voters go to the polls, while internal discussions have continued over whether the military campaign should be expanded or brought toward an end.

That creates a difficult political calculation for the White House. A continued military campaign could increase pressure over casualties, military spending and civilian deaths.But stepping back without achieving the administration’s stated objectives could create its own political challenges.

Trump has attempted to maintain flexibility, suggesting that the United States can strike again if necessary while also indicating that the renewed campaign will not necessarily continue indefinitely.

No clear diplomatic breakthrough

Despite occasional references to diplomacy, there is currently no clear indication of a comprehensive agreement between Washington and Tehran that would bring the conflict to an end. Instead, the latest developments point toward continued military pressure and retaliation.

The danger is that an attack initially directed at U.S. or Iranian military targets could trigger a chain reaction involving Gulf states, commercial shipping or other regional actors. The reported Iranian attack on Kuwait demonstrates how quickly the geographic scope of the conflict can expand.

A conflict with global consequences

The U.S.–Iran confrontation is no longer simply a bilateral military dispute. It has become a major international security and economic issue. The conflict is affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing oil prices higher and forcing Gulf governments to strengthen their defenses. It is also placing thousands of American service members across the Middle East in an increasingly dangerous environment.

For Iran, continued U.S. strikes threaten military infrastructure and economic interests while creating pressure on Tehran to demonstrate that it can retaliate. For Washington, the central challenge is balancing military pressure against the risk of a wider war.

Trump’s latest warning that the United States can launch another strike whenever it chooses underscores the uncertainty. Whether that warning becomes another military operation or part of a broader effort to force Iran back toward negotiations could determine the next phase of the conflict.

For now, however, the message from Washington is clear the United States has not ruled out further strikes, while Iran continues to retaliate. And with Gulf states increasingly exposed and the Strait of Hormuz under growing pressure, the consequences of the next move could extend far beyond the battlefield.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC — President Donald Trump has signed a short-term government funding bill designed to keep the U.S. federal government operating through December 11, averting the threat of another government shutdown just weeks before the November midterm elections.

Trump signed the legislation Wednesday, September 2, after the U.S. House of Representatives approved the measure by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 370–48. The Senate had already approved the legislation in August.

The measure, known as a continuing resolution, extends federal funding beyond the beginning of the new fiscal year on October 1. It largely maintains existing funding levels while giving Congress additional time to negotiate and approve the full set of spending bills needed to finance the federal government through fiscal year 2027.

Shutdown threat pushed beyond midterm elections

Without congressional action, federal funding was scheduled to expire at the end of September. That would have raised the possibility of a government shutdown during the final weeks of the midterm-election campaign. Instead, lawmakers have moved the deadline to December 11.

The timing is politically significant. Americans will vote in the November 3 midterm elections, and both Republicans and Democrats had strong incentives to prevent another prolonged disruption of federal services during the campaign season. The legislation gives Congress roughly two additional months to negotiate a longer-term agreement.

However, the agreement does not resolve the underlying budget dispute. Congress still has to complete the regular appropriations process covering major areas of federal spending, including defense, housing, energy and homeland security.

Bipartisan House vote

The House vote demonstrated unusually broad support for the temporary measure. The bill passed 370–48, reflecting support from members of both parties. Its passage followed the Senate’s earlier approval in August, allowing the legislation to reach Trump’s desk before the September 30 funding deadline. The overwhelming vote also underscored the political desire in Washington to avoid another shutdown. The United States experienced major funding disruptions during Trump’s second presidency, making another shutdown particularly politically risky as voters prepare to go to the polls.

What happens next?

The immediate crisis has been postponed, but the budget battle is far from over. Congress must now return to the more difficult task of reaching agreement on full-year appropriations for fiscal year 2027. The December 11 deadline will give lawmakers another opportunity to negotiate, but it also creates a new potential funding showdown later this year.

The outcome of the November elections could significantly influence those negotiations. If control of either chamber changes, the political balance surrounding federal spending, taxation, immigration, defense and domestic programs could shift substantially. For now, however, federal agencies have greater certainty that funding will continue beyond October 1.

A temporary solution, not a permanent budget

The legislation should therefore be viewed as a temporary political compromise rather than a final budget agreement. A continuing resolution allows the government to operate while Congress works toward completing its annual appropriations bills. It prevents the immediate disruption associated with a funding lapse but leaves many of the major disagreements unresolved.

The temporary agreement also means that the next major budget confrontation is likely to occur after the midterm elections, when lawmakers return to Washington with a new political landscape.

For federal employees, contractors and millions of Americans who depend on government services, the immediate message is straightforward: there will be no federal government shutdown at the beginning of October because of the current funding deadline.

But Washington’s budget battle has only been delayed. The next deadline — December 11, 2026 — could once again put Congress and the White House under pressure to reach a deal. With the midterm elections approaching and major disagreements over federal spending still unresolved, the temporary peace in Washington may prove to be just that — temporary.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald J. Trump will mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks at the Pentagon on September 11, while Vice President JD Vance is expected to represent the Trump administration at the annual memorial ceremony in New York City. The developments come as the White House prepares for a separate September 8 commemoration featuring a massive piece of World Trade Center steel at the White House.

On September 8, Trump is expected to host 9/11 first responders and other officials as the “Steel Across America” tour arrives in Washington. A 21-foot-long, 16,900-pound steel beam recovered from the South Tower of the World Trade Center will be displayed on the White House Ellipse. Trump and Tunnel to Towers Foundation CEO Frank Siller are expected to speak at the event.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation launched the nationwide Steel Across America campaign to carry the historic World Trade Center beam through communities across the country ahead of the 25th anniversary of the attacks. The tour is intended to connect Americans with the history of September 11 and honor the victims, first responders and military veterans whose lives were changed by the attacks and their aftermath.

Trump to observe 9/11 at Pentagon

On September 11, Trump will attend the official 9/11 observance at the Pentagon rather than the annual ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in Lower Manhattan. Trump confirmed that he would commemorate the anniversary at the Pentagon, one of the three locations directly targeted on September 11, 2001. The president also marked the anniversary at the Pentagon last year.

Vice President JD Vance is expected to attend the memorial ceremony at the World Trade Center site in New York City. The New York ceremony traditionally focuses on the victims and their families and does not feature political speeches. Family members read the names of those killed in the attacks, while moments of silence mark the timeline of the attacks and their aftermath.

The 2026 observance will carry particular significance as the United States marks 25 years since the September 11 attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 people and reshaped U.S. national security and foreign policy for decades.

Trump’s decision to attend the Pentagon rather than the New York ceremony has drawn attention because he is a native New Yorker and had previously been expected to participate in the Ground Zero commemoration. Trump has rejected reports that his decision was related to restrictions on political speeches at the New York memorial.

The three major sites of the September 11 attacks — New York, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania — will all be represented in the nation’s 25th-anniversary commemorations, with administration officials expected to participate in ceremonies across the three locations.

For the Trump administration, the September 8 White House event and the September 11 Pentagon ceremony will provide two separate opportunities to honor the victims, first responders and military personnel connected to the attacks and the wars that followed.

DHAKA – President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today urged the United States to simplify its visa processing procedures for Bangladeshi tourists and business people to facilitate people-to-people and business ties between the two countries. The President made the call when US ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christenen paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this morning.

During the meeting, the US envoy congratulated the President on his assumption of office as the President of Bangladesh. Recalling the past US investment and cooperation in the country’s agricultural development, the President called for further US investment and cooperation in the country’s development sector.

He also referred to Chevron’s investment and important role in the development of the country’s energy sector and urged increased US investment in Bangladesh’s energy, information technology, infrastructure, and health and high-tech industries sectors. The President also sought US cooperation in ensuring the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland.

Thanking the US ambassador, the President said, “The United States is one of the Bangladesh’s important development partners. The existing trade relations with the US are playing an important role in Bangladesh’s economic development.”

On international relations, the President said, “Bangladesh attaches the highest importance to the principles of independence, sovereignty, national interest, mutual respect and equality in its international relations.”

He expressed the hope that bilateral relations and trade agreements with the United States would be further expanded in the days to come through mutual respect while protecting common interests. Referring to the recent bilateral trade agreements with US, the President said, “This is an important development in expanding the trade relations between the two countries.”

“There is a scope to make the agreement more balanced and mutually beneficial, taking into consideration the economic realities and interests of both the countries,” he added.

The ambassador assured that the US would continue its cooperation with Bangladesh and stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries. He also reiterated his US’s interest in further deepening and diversifying relations with Bangladesh. Military secretary to the President and Press Secretary and senior officials were present during the meeting.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington, D.C.: The United States House of Representatives has taken a major step to avert a potential government shutdown, overwhelmingly passing a short-term federal funding bill on Tuesday.

The measure passed by a vote of 370–48 and would keep the federal government funded through December 11, 2026. The bill has now been sent to President Donald Trump for his signature. The Senate had already approved the measure on August 8.

The vote came as Congress has yet to complete the full set of spending legislation needed to fund the federal government for fiscal year 2027. The new fiscal year begins on October 1. With lawmakers unable to complete the 12 regular appropriations bills, Congress turned to a temporary funding measure to prevent federal agencies from running out of money at the start of the new fiscal year.

The House vote received strong bipartisan support. According to the official House Clerk’s voting record, 193 Republicans, 176 Democrats and one Independent voted in favor of the measure. Nineteen Republicans and 29 Democrats voted against it, while 14 members did not vote.

The legislation, H.R. 6500, is a continuing appropriations measure designed to maintain federal government funding on a temporary basis. By extending current funding through December 11, it removes the immediate threat of a shutdown that otherwise could have begun when existing funding expires on October 1.

The Senate passed the measure on August 8. Following Tuesday’s House approval, the legislation was sent to President Trump. Once signed, it will become law and provide temporary funding for federal operations through December 11.

However, Tuesday’s vote does not resolve the broader budget dispute facing Washington. Instead, it postpones the most difficult funding decisions until later in the year. Congress will still need to negotiate and approve the full set of appropriations measures for fiscal year 2027 before the December 11 deadline.

The timing of the agreement also carries significant political implications. The United States is scheduled to hold its midterm elections on November 3, and lawmakers from both parties have a strong incentive to avoid a government shutdown during the final weeks of the campaign. A shutdown could disrupt federal services, affect government workers and create additional political pressure ahead of the elections.

The temporary funding agreement therefore allows Congress to move the broader budget confrontation beyond the November elections. Lawmakers will have additional time to negotiate the government’s full-year spending plans after the election.

The bill also contains funding provisions for specific areas. Among them is $1.2 billion in additional funding related to the continued construction of Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines, according to information released by congressional lawmakers.

Despite the overwhelming bipartisan vote, disagreements between Republicans and Democrats over federal spending and policy priorities remain unresolved. Some Republicans opposed the measure over policy concerns, while Democrats have also criticized aspects of the administration’s spending and policy agenda.

Nevertheless, Tuesday’s vote represents a significant bipartisan effort to keep the federal government operating and prevent an immediate shutdown.

For now, Washington has avoided another shutdown crisis. But the underlying budget battle has not gone away. As the December 11 deadline approaches, Congress will once again face the question of whether it can reach agreement on the full fiscal year 2027 spending bills—or whether the United States will once again face the threat of a government shutdown.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC — The United States is preparing to intensify economic pressure on Iran with a new campaign of weekly secondary sanctions, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday, as military tensions between Washington and Tehran sharply escalated.

Bessent told Reuters that the U.S. Treasury Department is expected to announce new secondary sanctions every week, beginning with measures targeting banks and financial institutions that help Iran maintain access to international markets.

The planned measures are designed to further restrict Iran’s access to the global financial system and increase pressure on institutions and countries that continue doing business with Tehran. The announcement comes as the United States and Iran have entered their most serious period of renewed hostilities in weeks.

U.S. forces struck two Iranian launchers on Larak Island on Sunday after American forces identified what U.S. officials said were preparations by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to launch rockets carrying sea mines into the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran responded by launching missiles toward U.S. military bases in Jordan, according to U.S. and Iranian officials. The attacks marked the first direct exchange of fire between the two sides in about a month. President Donald Trump on Monday warned that the United States would respond forcefully to Iran’s attacks. The latest escalation has raised concerns about a wider regional conflict, particularly because of the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments.

Financial Pressure on Iran

The planned sanctions would expand the use of so-called secondary sanctions, which can penalize foreign companies, banks and other institutions that conduct certain business with Iran even when those entities are not based in the United States.

Bessent said the campaign would initially focus on banks and could increasingly target institutions that help Iran move money through the international financial system. The Treasury secretary’s announcement represents a further expansion of the administration’s economic campaign against Tehran.

The United States has already broadened the range of Iranian economic activities that could expose foreign businesses to secondary sanctions, including sectors such as digital assets, gold, technology, aviation and shipping.

Last week, the Treasury Department launched what it described as an unprecedented campaign against Iranian financial networks, targeting channels used by Tehran to generate revenue, evade sanctions and finance activities opposed by Washington.

Military Tensions Add to Economic Pressure

The new sanctions strategy comes as diplomatic and military tensions continue to worsen. The U.S. military said its strike on Larak Island was aimed at preventing Iran from deploying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has rejected the U.S. justification and warned that it would respond to further attacks.

Following the Iranian missile launches toward U.S. forces in Jordan, Trump said the United States would respond strongly. Reuters reported that the exchange of attacks represents a renewed escalation after a period in which the two sides had avoided direct military confrontation.

The conflict has also affected global energy markets. Brent crude oil futures settled more than 2.5% higher on Monday after the latest U.S.-Iran military exchanges, reflecting renewed concerns over the security of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.

Pressure on Iran’s Financial Lifelines

The Trump administration has increasingly focused on Iran’s financial networks as part of its broader strategy to weaken Tehran’s ability to fund its government, military and regional activities.

The planned weekly sanctions would represent a significant escalation because foreign financial institutions could face increasing pressure to choose between maintaining business relationships with Iran and retaining access to the U.S.-dominated international financial system.

For Iran, the measures could further complicate access to foreign currency, international banking services and overseas trade. For the United States and its allies, however, the strategy carries its own risks, particularly if increased economic pressure contributes to further military escalation or disruption of global energy supplies.

With the United States preparing additional sanctions and military tensions rising, the coming days could determine whether the latest confrontation remains limited or develops into a broader regional crisis.