Sanctions Pressure Index — August 2026: 30.0

In August 2026, the Sanctions Pressure Index started at its lowest point of 19 before rising throughout the month. Tensions were pushed up as the US announced new sanctions against Iran, with Trump pivoting back to economic pressure and warning of an 'economic D-Day' while Tehran issued warnings of a harsh response. Additionally, China hit the US with sanctions and drone export curbs ahead of a visit by Xi Jinping. Global friction was briefly eased toward the end of the month as the ongoing war continued to weigh heavily on Iran's economy despite intensifying US actions. The month ended on a higher note of pressure after fresh opinion coverage highlighted how the new US sanctions against Iran also put China on notice, leaving the index peaking at 46 near late August.

Peak 46 on 2026-08-26 · low 19 on 2026-08-02 · locked record · ← July · Sanctions Pressure Index timeline · September → · World Tension, same month

• Iran warns of a harsh response as US announces new sanctions and other Middle East news apnews.com · 2026-08-24
• Treasury Secretary to announce Iran sanctions as Tehran dismisses economic warfare threat CNBC · 2026-08-23
• Trump pivots back to sanctions for Iran as other strategies to end his war fizzle apnews.com · 2026-08-11
• China hits US with sanctions, drone export curbs ahead of Xi visit CNN · 2026-08-05
• Trump warns of ‘economic D-Day’ against Iran, but Tehran is well acquainted with sanctions apnews.com · 2026-08-21
• If the U.S. wants to end the war with Iran by way of economic sanctions, China is key cbsnews.com · 2026-08-25
• War weighs on Iran's economy as US intensifies sanctions reuters.com · 2026-08-29
• China denounces US threat of sanctions over trade with Iran The Guardian · 2026-08-25