TEHRAN, 22 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja): Iran has warned that any new US threats would trigger a “devastating” response after Washington announced plans to impose what it described as the toughest financial sanctions in history against Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he would provide details of the planned sanctions on Monday, after President Donald Trump warned that countries providing “any type of lifeline” to Iran would face economic consequences. Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, Major General Ali Abdollahi, said Iran’s response to any new threats would be broad and decisive. According to Iranian media, Abdollahi said Iran’s armed forces were prepared across land, sea, air, air defence and cyberspace to respond to what he described as new enemy threats with severe and devastating measures. Iranian leaders and President Trump have continued to issue strong and threatening statements as tensions remain high, with neither side having achieved a decisive outcome in the conflict.US military strikes have severely weakened Iran’s economy and conventional military capabilities. However, Tehran still retains significant missile and drone capabilities that could be used to disrupt oil tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and target regional rivals.The escalating tensions have also affected other Gulf countries and contributed to concerns over global energy supplies and fuel prices.The latest exchange of threats comes as Washington prepares additional economic measures against Iran, while Tehran signals that it remains prepared to respond militarily to any further US action.