{
  "id": 2180252,
  "title": "Iran calls new US sanctions 'economic terrorism,' 'crimes against humanity'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/iran-calls-new-us-sanctions-economic-terrorism-crimes-against-humanity-2180252",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T17:02:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/world/20260821/iran-calls-new-us-sanctions-economic-terrorism-crimes-against-humanity"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The United States has announced plans to ramp up sanctions on Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent describing the move as an effort to \"collapse\" the Iranian government. According to Bessent, the sanctions will be \"the toughest in history\" and will be accompanied by a blockade on Iran. The US is urging its allies and China to join the effort, warning that any country that provides a \"lifeline\" to Iran will face \"tremendous economic consequences\".\n\nIran's foreign ministry has condemned the sanctions as \"economic terrorism\" and \"crimes against humanity\", stating that the US is targeting the fundamental human rights of every Iranian citizen. The ministry called for the perpetrators of the sanctions to be tried and punished for their actions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi dismissed Trump's comments as an attempt to divert attention from domestic financial problems in the US.\n\nThe conflict between the US and Iran has been ongoing for nearly six months, with thousands killed and global markets affected by Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz. The US and Iran have announced two ceasefire deals, but both have failed to hold. According to CNBC, the US unveiled the economic operation nearly six months into the war, which continues without a clear end in sight.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "El Pais English",
        "title": "Trump announces ‘crushing economic operation’ against Iran",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/trump-announces-crushing-economic-operation-against-iran",
        "published": "2026-08-20T07:18:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Report: Trump suggests intense attacks on Iran if economic pressure fails",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/report-trump-suggests-intense-attacks-on-iran-if-economic-pressure",
        "published": "2026-08-20T08:35:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Trump warns of possible strikes on Iran if economic pressure fails",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/trump-warns-of-possible-strikes-on-iran-if-economic-pressure-fails",
        "published": "2026-08-20T08:59:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Semafor",
        "title": "US threatens to expand economic pressure on Iran",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/us-threatens-to-expand-economic-pressure-on-iran",
        "published": "2026-08-20T13:34:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Factbox-Trump threatens to isolate Iran. Who are its trading partners?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/factbox-trump-threatens-to-isolate-iran-who-are-its-trading-partners",
        "published": "2026-08-20T14:46:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Trump announces \"crushing economic operation\" against Iran",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/trump-announces-crushing-economic-operation-against-iran-2158878",
        "published": "2026-08-20T14:56:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Iran calls new US sanctions 'economic terrorism,' 'crimes against humanity'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/iran-calls-new-us-sanctions-economic-terrorism-crimes-against-humanity",
        "published": "2026-08-20T16:52:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "U.S. warns allies, China to back economic war on Iran",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/u-s-warns-allies-china-to-back-economic-war-on-iran",
        "published": "2026-08-20T17:30:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}