Iran is setting conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including an end to the war, the lifting of the U.S. blockade and sanctions. At the same time, Washington is stepping up economic pressure on Tehran through what the White House calls “Operation Economic Outcast.”
Iran has accused the United States of violating international law through its new sanctions campaign, “Operation Economic Outcast.” The Iranian Foreign Ministry described the measures as “economic terrorism” and urged countries not to implement the sanctions.
Tehran said joining the U.S. campaign would amount to supporting pressure on independent states and disrupting legitimate trade relations. The ministry accused Washington of using the dollar as a tool to influence other countries and vowed to use “all capacities” to respond.
The United States launched Operation Economic Outcast on Monday, targeting Iran’s oil, shipping, aviation, gold, technology and digital asset sectors. Washington says the campaign aims to restrict Tehran’s access to the global financial system.
Thousands of patients in the Gaza Strip are still waiting for urgent medical evacuation, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency supported the evacuation of 106 patients, including 19 children, from Gaza last week.
The patients were transferred through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings and accompanied by 132 relatives. Since October 2023, more than 13,000 patients and thousands of companions have been evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment abroad.
Tedros called for sustained access through multiple crossings to ensure patients receive timely care. The WHO chief warned that many people in Gaza remain in need of urgent medical assistance amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
China has reiterated that dialogue and diplomatic negotiations are the only viable way to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing opposes what it considers illegal unilateral sanctions against Iran.
His comments followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Washington could sanction Chinese banks over their ties with Tehran. The White House said direct talks with Iran remain stalled as the U.S. increases economic pressure under its “Operation Economic Outcast” campaign.
Washington launched the initiative following the U.S.-Iran war that began on 28 February. The tensions come ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned reciprocal visit to the United States.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the latest U.S. sanctions campaign, warning that countries enforcing the measures could be complicit in what Tehran described as “state terrorism.”
The ministry said the sanctions violate the UN Charter and represent an extension of the military conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran.
It also warned that the measures could threaten the health and livelihoods of millions of civilians, accusing the international community of failing to respond adequately.
Iran said it remains determined to use “all available means” to defend itself against what it called a combined U.S.-Israeli military and economic campaign.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of suffering from “schizophrenia” after Trump claimed on Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz was U.S. territory.
"#Schizophrenia is a complex and acute psychotic disorder that manifests with disturbances in thinking and a distorted perception of reality. Its most common symptom is also #hallucinations and #delusions. Psychologists recommend that such patients should be under 24-hour supervision and receive treatment," Gharibabadi wrote reposting Donald Trump's post on X.
Israeli forces continued attacks on southern Lebanon on Friday, targeting several areas with artillery and machine-gun fire, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency. The strikes hit the town of Houla and Wadi al-Salouqi, with no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
The attacks followed intensified Israeli operations on Thursday, including airstrikes, artillery shelling and ground incursions in several southern areas. Israel has maintained military operations in Lebanon since launching a new offensive on 2 March.
Lebanon and Israel reached a U.S.-mediated framework agreement on 26 June calling for a gradual Israeli withdrawal and the deployment of the Lebanese army. U.S.-sponsored talks on implementing the deal are continuing as Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon persist.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said diplomacy with the U.S. can be revived if Washington recognises that “pressure doesn’t work.”
In a post on X, Araghchi called on the U.S. to build trust, speak respectfully, acknowledge Iran’s rights and honour its commitments.
He also said he held “creative discussions” with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The conflict began on 28 February, when the United States and Israel launched a major joint military operation against Iran. President Donald Trump initially said the war could last four to five weeks, but six months later, fighting continues with neither side achieving a clear victory.
The war has disrupted global energy markets, contributing to higher oil prices, rising inflation and slower economic growth.
Iran’s military capabilities have also been heavily damaged, including its air defence and missile systems, while several senior officials and leaders have been killed. The U.S. military has also lost drones and aircraft, while its stockpile of Patriot interceptors has come under pressure.
The conflict has also intensified economic hardship for people in both countries, with Americans questioning the cost of the war and Iranian businesses struggling under expanded U.S. sanctions.
Six months on, the fighting continues, economic costs are mounting and there is still no clear timeline for an end to the conflict.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said U.S. President Donald Trump “continues to retain all options on the table” regarding Iran.
In an interview with Fox News, Leavitt said the U.S. had shifted from military action under “Operation Epic Fury” to economic pressure through “Operation Economic Outcast.”
She said there are currently no negotiations with Iran, adding that the economic pressure would continue until Tehran agrees to engage in what Trump considers meaningful talks.
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