While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Aug 25, 2026
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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announcing a new set of sanctions against Iran, describing them as “an economic D-Day”, on Aug 24 in Washington, DC.
PHOTO: AFP
US vows ‘economic asphyxiation’ of Iran
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Aug 24 laid out plans for the “economic asphyxiation” of Iran, expanding Washington’s secondary sanctions threats and warning of dire consequences for countries that do not join the campaign.
The announcement comes almost six months into a war on Iran that has ground to a stalemate, with stalled peace talks and Tehran blocking most traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
Bessent earlier said the United States was declaring an “economic D-Day” on Iran, but his announcement named no specific countries beyond Iran and no timelines.
“Around the globe, our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone,” Bessent told a press conference. “We are going to hold everyone accountable, and this is economic asphyxiation of this regime.”
Trump’s approval holds at record low
PHOTO: EPA
US public approval of the war with Iran fell to its lowest level since the conflict’s early days, helping to hold President Donald Trump’s popularity at a record low, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll that closed on Aug 24.
The four-day poll showed just 31 per cent of Americans support US military action against Iran, down from 37 per cent in a March Reuters/Ipsos poll and 34 per cent earlier this month.
The decline was driven by fewer self-identified Republicans backing the conflict. Some 69 per cent of Republican respondents support the war, compared with 77 per cent in March.
Netanyahu says Iran ‘tried to kill’ one of his sons
PHOTO: EPA
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Aug 24 that Iran had attempted to assassinate one of his two sons, without offering further details.
“Something incredible happened: Iran targeted one of my sons. Iran tried to kill one of my sons,” Netanyahu said, during a phone interview with Israel’s Channel 14.
The claim came during a discussion about reports that the Shin Bet domestic security agency had declined to provide a security detail for Gadi Eisenkot, the former army chief who is running neck and neck with Netanyahu ahead of elections on Oct 27.
S. Korea, US vow close cooperation on North: Seoul
PHOTO: REUTERS
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on Aug 24, and Seoul said they agreed to maintain close communication and cooperation on resolving the North Korean nuclear issue, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported.
The US State Department issued only a brief statement on the phone call, which comes at a period of tension between the allies.
President Donald Trump recently announced a scaling back of joint military exercises and praised nuclear-armed North Korea, while saying that Seoul had not helped his efforts to try to denuclearise Iran.
Chelsea start Xabi Alonso era with exciting 3-2 win
PHOTO: ACTION IMAGES
Chelsea began life under new coach Xabi Alonso with a breathless 3-2 victory at West London neighbours Fulham in the Premier League on Aug 24 as their exciting front three of Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer all found the net.
Chelsea got off to a dream start after 31 seconds when Palmer – looking back to his best after struggling with an injury last season – passed to Joao Pedro and the Brazilian flicked the ball over goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
It was the quickest goal scored in the opening round of fixtures in the 34-year history of the Premier League.
