Iran calls US economic pressure 'declaration of war'

Infographics: TBS

Iran has granted permission for several Iraqi oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz following repeated requests from Baghdad, offering limited relief to Iraq as shipping through the strategic waterway remains severely disrupted amid the nearly six-month-old US-Iran conflict.

Iran's state news agency IRNA reported on Saturday (22 August) that granting special passage to Iraqi tankers was among Baghdad's main requests during Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf's recent visit to Iraq. Iraqi President Nizar Amedi also confirmed that Iran had facilitated the passage of vessels carrying Iraqi oil in recent days, although he said the situation remained complicated.

US sanctions deepen tensions with Iran

The limited reopening comes as Washington prepares to impose fresh sanctions on Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said the administration will unveil what he described as the "toughest sanctions in history" on Monday, while President Donald Trump has warned countries providing Iran with "any type of lifeline" that they could face severe economic consequences.

Iran has rejected the planned measures. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei described the sanctions as an attempt by Washington to impose "extraterritorial sovereignty" over independent UN member states. Tehran argues that the United States has no right to force foreign banks, companies or transport operators to cut commercial ties with Iran.

The confrontation has further complicated traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy corridors. Before the conflict, about one-fifth of global oil trade passed through the waterway. Shipping has since fallen sharply, with only a handful of commercial vessels crossing in recent days. Reuters reported that only seven commodity ships crossed on Thursday, with none being large crude carriers or LNG tankers.

Iraq seeks alternative oil routes

The disruption has placed particular pressure on Iraq, which produced around 4 million barrels of oil per day before the war. Baghdad depends heavily on maritime routes to export its crude and is now working to expand alternative routes through Turkey's Ceyhan port, Syria's Baniyas port and Jordan's Aqaba port.

The permission for Iraqi vessels, however, does not indicate a broader reopening of Hormuz. Tehran continues to use control over the waterway as leverage in its confrontation with Washington, while the US has maintained pressure on Iranian ports.

The impact is being felt beyond the region. With tanker movements severely restricted, energy traders are closely watching the possibility of further supply disruptions. The uncertainty has contributed to higher oil prices, with Brent crude recently trading around the mid-$90s a barrel.

At the same time, diplomatic efforts remain stalled. Trump has said Iran wants a deal but is not ready to accept what he considers the right terms. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, however, has called for a diplomatic solution, while Iranian military officials have threatened strong retaliation against further US pressure.

The economic strain is also becoming more visible inside Iran. Qalibaf has acknowledged that military strength alone cannot sustain the country without economic growth, domestic production and financial activity. The comments highlight the pressure created by prolonged sanctions, war-related disruption and restrictions on oil exports.

Israel-Turkey tensions grow over Syria

The regional tensions are also spreading beyond the US-Iran confrontation. Israel and Turkey are increasingly at odds over their respective roles in Syria following Israel's August 18 attack on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northwestern Syria.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military recommended the strike based on intelligence indicating that Turkey was planning activity at the base that could threaten Israeli security. Israel carried out eight airstrikes on the facility, targeting its runway and storage areas. No casualties were reported.

Katz said Israel had warned Syria "at the highest levels" before approving the attack and had shared the intelligence with US officials. He also criticised US envoy Tom Barrack's description of the strike as an "unnecessary escalation".

Turkey has rejected Israel's claims, saying there was no Turkish military deployment at the base. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has likewise said there were no plans to establish a Turkish military base there. He acknowledged that Turkish military officers had visited the facility for training and broader military cooperation but denied any permanent Turkish military presence.

The United States is now working to establish a deconfliction mechanism involving Turkey, Israel and Syria to prevent further military misunderstandings.

For Iraq, the immediate priority remains keeping its oil exports moving. The special permission from Tehran provides a narrow opening, but it falls far short of restoring normal shipping through Hormuz.

As Washington prepares tougher sanctions and Tehran maintains its pressure on the waterway, the fate of Iraqi oil shipments remains closely tied to the wider US-Iran confrontation. Any prolonged disruption could further strain regional economies, tighten global energy supplies and increase pressure on governments to find alternative routes around the Strait of Hormuz.