On Aug 20, U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said he will hold a press briefing on
Aug 24 to outline U.S. actions targeting Iran. President Trump warned on Aug 19
that any country providing 'any form of lifeline' to Iran would face economic
consequences. Bessent said the Treasury has asymmetric information and
questioned why oil has become the focus; he added that applying maximum economic
pressure would make large-scale military conflict less likely.