Key facts
- US House Speaker Mike Johnson announced the United States is entering a "new phase" in the war with Iran.
- Johnson expects allied nations to provide assistance in the upcoming phase of the conflict.
- He asserted that Donald Trump successfully prevented Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
- Iran's security chief warned that any nation joining US sanctions would be deemed an enemy and face retaliation.
- Iran's Foreign Minister criticized US threats as "same bullying" and "psychological warfare."
- US Central Command reported redirecting 70 commercial vessels and disabling three to enforce a blockade against Iran.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson stated on Sunday that the United States is entering "a new phase" in the war with Iran, anticipating that allied nations will assist in concluding the conflict. Johnson made these remarks during an interview on Fox News, asserting that Donald Trump had successfully prevented Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, a goal of previous administrations.
Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, responded by stating that any country joining the US sanctions against Iran would be considered an enemy and would have its interests targeted in retaliation. Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, dismissed the US threats as "the same bullying" and "psychological warfare," characterizing them as a "repeat broadcast."
Meanwhile, US Central Command reported that as of August 23, 2026, US forces had redirected 70 commercial vessels, disabled three, and boarded two to enforce a blockade against Iran. Shipping data indicated a significant decline in confirmed crossings through the Strait of Hormuz, with a vessel near Oman reportedly damaged by a projectile, resulting in a crew casualty. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian described the situation as a "full-scale economic, military and security war."