Iran has threatened retaliation following the United States’ decision to widen economic sanctions against Tehran, with senior officials insisting that the new measures will not easily isolate the country from its major trading partners.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed the latest US pressure, arguing that Washington was not in a position to further restrict Iran’s economic ties with other nations. He also said Iran’s trading partners had indicated that they would not be swayed by the US statements.

The comments came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced measures aimed at cutting off Iran’s economic lifeline. He warned that countries continuing to trade with Iran could eventually face restrictions that would affect their access to the dollar-based financial system.

However, Bessent did not identify the countries that could face such penalties or specify when they would be imposed. The US Treasury Department separately announced sanctions against 60 individuals, entities and vessels.

Notably, the sanctions list did not include Chinese financial institutions suspected of helping facilitate Iran’s oil trade. China remains Iran’s biggest trading partner.

Tehran says it is ready to counter US pressure

Following the US announcement, Ghalibaf said Iran’s partners were not taking Washington’s latest statements seriously.

Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh also said Tehran was “fully prepared” to deal with the expanded sanctions. He argued that Iran had developed its own economic tools after years of sanctions and warned that its response could extend beyond defence.

Madanizadeh further said that neither China nor Russia had accepted the US measures and predicted that other countries would also resist Washington’s pressure.

Iran has also warned of possible military retaliation and indicated that it could further reduce oil exports from the Gulf if its infrastructure comes under threat.

Iran warns of attacks on US interests and energy routes

Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi, a spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that Iran could deliver heavy blows against US vital interests and energy chokepoints if its infrastructure is threatened.

The warning comes amid continued tensions involving shipping and energy routes in the region. Tehran has previously indicated that it could use its military capabilities and control over strategically important areas to respond to threats.

What is the current situation in the Iran conflict?

The conflict remains unresolved despite a reduction in major strikes in recent weeks. The US administration is continuing to pursue economic pressure against Tehran while also seeking ways to address Iranian attacks on ships in the Gulf and, through its allies, in the Red Sea.

The conflict has placed further pressure on energy markets, while years of US and international sanctions have already caused significant economic difficulties for Iran.

Iran’s conventional military capabilities have also been affected by the conflict. However, Tehran is reported to retain missile and drone capabilities that could threaten Gulf neighbours and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The condition of Iran’s nuclear programme remains unclear, while the US and Israel continue to seek its dismantling.

The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration Department has temporarily suspended the food licences of Amazon, Instamart and BigBasket over the sale of datura fruits and seeds on their platforms for human consumption.

The action followed complaints regarding the sale and online listing of datura products on the platforms. The department had earlier ordered an inquiry into the matter.

During its investigation, the authority found datura fruits and seeds displayed for sale on various e-commerce platforms. In some cases, the products carried FSSAI licence or registration numbers despite being toxic and posing a serious health risk if consumed.

The investigation also found packets containing datura fruits and seeds bearing food licence or registration numbers. The products were reportedly stored in warehouses and offered for sale or distribution through online platforms.

What the companies told the regulator

Representatives of the companies appeared before the authority during the proceedings.

According to the order, Amazon did not submit a response, while Instamart sought additional time to submit documents regarding the action it had taken.

BigBasket said it had stopped the online sale of the fruits. It also said it would correct the labelling in the future to clearly state that the products are “Not for human consumption”.

The regulator, however, found the responses and explanations unsatisfactory and said that storing, selling or distributing the products as food was impermissible.

Licences of suppliers also suspended

The department has directed the concerned authorities to temporarily suspend, until further orders, the food licences issued to Amazon, Instamart and BigBasket.

The suspension can be reversed following a hearing if the platforms submit a response.

The licences and registrations of suppliers and sellers providing the products to the three online platforms have also been ordered to be suspended with immediate effect.

The order further directs the concerned food business operators to immediately remove or suspend online listings and advertisements offering datura fruits or seeds for food or human consumption.

A Gurugram resident expressed frustration after spending four hours travelling amid heavy rain and traffic congestion on Monday, August 24.

In a social media post titled “4 Hours and counting for an 8km round trip”, the resident said they had stepped out to pick up their child from school when heavy rain caused traffic to move at a snail’s pace.

The resident said that after four hours, they still had two kilometres left to reach their destination.

“It’s been 4 hours since I stepped out to pick up my kid from school. A total round trip of 8 kms and I still have 2 km left to go,” the resident wrote.

Heavy rain triggers waterlogging, traffic jams

Major parts of Gurugram were heavily inundated as the city witnessed 70–75 mm of rain. 

Traffic movement was severely affected around several key locations, including Rajiv Chowk, Narsinghpur, the Sirhaul border and Subhash Chowk.

The resident strongly criticised the administration, describing the situation as a result of what they called “incompetence” and corruption. 

Social media users share similar experiences

The post drew reactions from other social media users, several of whom shared their own experiences of travelling through Gurugram during the rain.

One user said they began trying to book an Uber auto at 2 pm, got one at 3 pm and reached Huda at 4:30 pm. The user also said they paid four times the fare. 

Another user questioned road planning and infrastructure, arguing that better engineering and planning could help deal with recurring rain-related disruption.

A third user recalled being stuck for hours during heavy rain in 2016 and said a similar situation had occurred in 2026. The user also said they expected such disruptions to continue in the future.

Another social media user said there was “no accountability” and described governance as the underlying problem.

The reactions highlighted residents’ frustration over traffic disruption and waterlogging during heavy rainfall in Gurugram.