Washington Times - Politics, Breaking News, US and World News

Trump’s ‘economic D-Day’ on Iran arrives Monday with ‘toughest sanctions in history’

Iranian pro-government demonstrators wave flags in a gathering at a square in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday announced that the U.S. would impose some of the “toughest sanctions in history” on Iran next week, doubling down on the Trump administration’s economic warfare strategy as diplomacy stalls.

A decade of federal housing aid, and the affordability gap grew in all 50 states

Information sign about open house for home sale is seen outside of a home in Wheeling, Ill., Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

The federal government keeps pumping money into housing assistance programs, but it’s done little to affect the actual affordability of obtaining a home, according to a new study by a spending watchdog group.

Information sign about open house for home sale is seen outside of a home in Wheeling, Ill., Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

A decade of federal housing aid, and the affordability gap grew in all 50 states

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Decommissioned Syrian air force planes are seen at the Abu Duhur military air base east of Idlib, following the takeover of the area by Syrian opposition fighters on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Albam, File)

Israel’s air strikes, ground action in Syria escalate tensions with Turkey 34 minutes ago

By Jacob Wirtschafter and Ahmad Al Kwaider - Special to The Washington Times

IndyCar Series driver David Malukas drives a race car down West Executive Drive during an event with President Donald Trump to promote the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Monday, July 13, 2026, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) **FILE**

Racers, organizers finalize Freedom 250 Grand Prix preparations

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

Iranian American businessman Maysam Sabitian urges President Trump to stop playing "cat-and-mouse game" with Iran and up the war, including arming opponents of the Islamic regime inside the country. (Photo credit: Maysam Sabitian)

‘You cannot negotiate with these people’: Iranian refugee urges Trump to go all-in to topple Tehran

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico speaks at a rally on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (AP Photo/Brenda Bazán) ** FILE **

Two red states just became Senate toss-ups, and the GOP is on defense

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Happening Now

Iranian American businessman Maysam Sabitian urges President Trump to stop playing "cat-and-mouse game" with Iran and up the war, including arming opponents of the Islamic regime inside the country. (Photo credit: Maysam Sabitian)

‘You cannot negotiate with these people’: Iranian refugee urges Trump to go all-in to topple Tehran

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico speaks at a rally on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (AP Photo/Brenda Bazán) ** FILE **

Two red states just became Senate toss-ups, and the GOP is on defense

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

People take photos near a John Harvard statue, left, on the Harvard University campus, Jan. 2, 2024, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Pentagon orders 30 colleges to sever ‘problematic’ ties to China, Russia, Iran

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks about his state budget proposal Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

California’s new tire rule could cost more and risk safety. Newsom says it’s worth it

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

Commentary View all

Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal and prisoners illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal must not leave prisoners behind

By Daren G. Spinck

President Donald Trump, Kim Jong Un and North Korea's nuclear threat illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

How to counter the North Korea threat

By Joseph R. DeTrani

Virginia and criminal illegal immigrants illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Spanberger’s Virginia places illegals first, victims last

By Kelly Sadler

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data centers illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

AI and data centers can make the Midwest great again

By Stephen Moore and Peter Roff

Roles of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

The CIA must determine Iran’s next likely moves

By Daniel N. Hoffman

Culture View all

Hayden Panettiere appears at the world premiere of "Scream VI" in New York on March 6, 2023. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) **FILE**

Hayden Panettiere’s Neutrogena claims resurface after her death at 36

By Juliet La Sala - The Washington Times

Taylor Sheridan appears at the Hollywood Film Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Nov. 5, 2017. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

‘Yellowstone’ writer/director Taylor Sheridan’s ‘6666’ series is permanently canceled

By Juliet La Sala - The Washington Times

Jason Statham poses for photographers upon arrival at the UK premiere of the film "The Beekeeper" on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, in London. (Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP) ** FILE **

Amazon Prime mistakenly streams ‘Mutiny,’ the latest Jason Statham movie, in its entirety

By Juliet La Sala - The Washington Times

Defiant Ones: Agent 355

Agent 355: America’s most important spy had no name

View all

This image provided by U.S. Central Command shows the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) firing a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) in support of Operation Epic Fury, on Sunday, March 1, 2026. (U.S. Navy via AP) ** FILE **

Nearly half of all Tomahawks fired since 1991 launched against Iran

Thursday, August 20 2026

Demonstrators hold a photo of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov during a rally to denounce President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decision to dismiss Fedorov after six months in the post, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Ukraine’s ousted defense minister challenges Zelenskyy with call for wartime elections

By Guillaume Ptak - Special to The Washington Times

Artificial intelligence (AI) competition around the world illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

Commentary
End the wild west era of AI

By Caleb Knapp

This photo released by the U.S. Navy shows a guided-missile submarine capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk missiles. The Navy said a nuclear-powered submarine, based out of Kings Bay, Georgia, passed through the Suez Canal on Friday, April 7, 2023. (US Navy via AP) **FILE**

White House tech strategy lists Navy submarines as top priority

By Bill Gertz - The Washington Times

Trump Central View all

Iranian American businessman Maysam Sabitian urges President Trump to stop playing "cat-and-mouse game" with Iran and up the war, including arming opponents of the Islamic regime inside the country. (Photo credit: Maysam Sabitian)

‘You cannot negotiate with these people’: Iranian refugee urges Trump to go all-in to topple Tehran

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

The White House is seen in Washington, on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Key Trump aide James Braid leaving White House ahead of midterms

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

Construction continues on a helipad on the South Lawn of the White House, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump signs marble slab as part of new White House helipad

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

Former FBI Director James B. Comey speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

‘No serious dispute’ that Comey’s seashell post could be read as a Trump threat, prosecutors say

By Eric Tucker - Associated Press

Campaign 2026 View all

State Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville asks a question on the SB 2-A Property Insurance bill, Dec. 14, 2022, in the House of Representatives in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears, File)

Florida Dem Senate candidate Angie Nixon defends taking children to drag shows as ‘wholesome’

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

FILE - The Boston harbor and the city skyline are photographed, Oct. 28, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File)

Democrats narrow their list of 2028 presidential convention sites to Boston, Denver and Philadelphia

By Mike Catalini - Associated Press

Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, center, waves next to his wife Erika, while standing on stage with their children Darin, left, Damon, second from left, and Mason during at a primary election party Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Americans have elected only 3 Black governors. This year, 8 major party candidates are on the ballot

By Bill Barrow and Steven Sloan - Associated Press

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, attends an election night event on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. (Kerem Yücel/Minnesota Public Radio via AP)

Commentary
Trump Derangement Syndrome infecting U.S. Senate races

By David N. Bossie

Politics View all

Gas prices are displayed electronically at QT gasoline station, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in Greenwood Village, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

EPA waives summer-blend rule early, aims to cut gas prices as Iran war drags on

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Information sign about open house for home sale is seen outside of a home in Wheeling, Ill., Monday, June 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

A decade of federal housing aid, and the affordability gap grew in all 50 states

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico speaks at a rally on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (AP Photo/Brenda Bazán) ** FILE **

Two red states just became Senate toss-ups, and the GOP is on defense

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks about his state budget proposal Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

California’s new tire rule could cost more and risk safety. Newsom says it’s worth it

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

Dive Deeper View all

Then-California gubernatorial candidate and Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., talks with reporters after holding a town hall meeting in Sacramento, Calif., on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) **FILE**

Analysis

From Fang Fang to Trump dossier, Eric Swalwell weighs in on sex trap spycraft

By Rowan Scarborough - The Washington Times

A customer shops at a Grocery Outlet store in Pleasanton, Calif., on Sept. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Terry Chea, File)

‘Trickflation’ sells less food at a higher price in containers that look bigger 22 minutes ago

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

Digital chatting artificial intelligence chatbot. File photo credit: 3rdtimeluckystudio via Shutterstock.

Generation Z embraces AI cost-cutting to lead surge in new business starts

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

A security person moves journalists away from the Wuhan Institute of Virology after a World Health Organization team arrived for a field visit in Wuhan in China's Hubei province, Feb. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

Fauci’s former chief of staff pleads guilty to hiding records to thwart COVID origins inquiries

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

National View all

Authorities investigate a crash between a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter and a small plane at the Carlisle airport in Carlisle, Pa. Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (Sean Simmers/The Patriot-News via AP)

One dead, two injured when small plane collides with Pennsylvania State police helicopter at airport

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

SpaceX's mega rocket Starship lifts off for a test flight from Starbase, Texas, Friday, July 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

SpaceX recovers its Starship launch vehicle from Indian Ocean after weeks at sea

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

Manuel Hernandez leaves U.S. district court in Manhattan with his lawyer, Amy Gallicchio, on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, after being charged in the deaths of two people in a boating accident in New York Harbor. (AP Photo/Larry Neumeister)

Boat captain from deadly capsize in New York Harbor is illegal immigrant

By Matt Delaney - The Washington Times

This screen grab made from video provided by WCVB-TV shows a police officer standing guard over a home in Worcester, Mass., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. (WCVB-TV via AP)

Police look for ‘armed and dangerous’ wife of Massachusetts cop found dead

By Matt Delaney - The Washington Times

World View all

People take photos near a John Harvard statue, left, on the Harvard University campus, Jan. 2, 2024, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Pentagon orders 30 colleges to sever ‘problematic’ ties to China, Russia, Iran

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

Iranian pro-government demonstrators wave flags in a gathering at a square in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Trump’s ‘economic D-Day’ on Iran arrives Monday with ‘toughest sanctions in history’

By Vaughn Cockayne - The Washington Times

Decommissioned Syrian air force planes are seen at the Abu Duhur military air base east of Idlib, following the takeover of the area by Syrian opposition fighters on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Albam, File)

Israel’s air strikes, ground action in Syria escalate tensions with Turkey 34 minutes ago

By Jacob Wirtschafter and Ahmad Al Kwaider - Special to The Washington Times

South Korea army soldiers take part in an anti-terror drill as a part of the Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercise between the U.S. and South Korea in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Trump scaled back his Korea war games. Kim Jong-un’s sister couldn’t resist gloating

By Andrew Salmon - The Washington Times

Sports View all

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, center, speaks to FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafstrom, left, sitting beside president of Moroccan Royal Football Federation Fouzi Lekjaa as they attend a Women's AFCON 2026 soccer match between Malawi and Zambia, in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo)

Fans launch global petition urging FIFA boss Infantino to resign over World Cup ‘betrayal’

By Graham Dunbar - Associated Press

IndyCar Series driver David Malukas drives a race car down West Executive Drive during an event with President Donald Trump to promote the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix auto race, Monday, July 13, 2026, at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) **FILE**

Racers, organizers finalize Freedom 250 Grand Prix preparations

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels works out before a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins at NFL football training camp, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026 in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

LOVERRO: Silly flap over No. 5 jersey splashes a little mud in the face of the franchise

By Thom Loverro

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jer'zhan Newton (95) works out during practice at the team's NFL football training camp in Ashburn, Va., on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) **FILE**

Bad news for big men: Commanders’ Newton ruled out indefinitely as line injuries rise

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

Higher Ground View all

An Appeal To Heaven flag is pictured as people gather at Independence Mall to support President Donald Trump as he visits the National Constitution Center to participate in the ABC News town hall, Sept. 15, 2020, in Philadelphia. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is embroiled in a second flag controversy, this time over the “Appeal to Heaven” flag, a banner that in recent years has come to symbolize Christian nationalism and the false claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. The flag was seen outside his New Jersey beach home last summer. (AP Photo/Michael Perez) **FILE**

Christian nationalists’ professed support for religious pluralism is often drowned out by perception

By Brooklyn Walker - Associated Press

Swiss tourist Luzian Andrin Zgraggen who is accused of insulting the Balinese Hinduism's sacred Day of Silence in social media posts covers his face upon arrival at the district court in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026. (AP Photo)

Swiss tourist sentenced to a year in jail for insulting Bali’s sacred Day of Silence

Associated Press

Congress protecting children from Big Tech social media illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Commentary
Congress must put children ahead of Big Tech lobbyists

By Marcel van der Watt and Benjamin Bull

(Associated Press) ** FILE **

Bronx man charged with hate crimes in Manhattan synagogue attack, DOJ says

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

Podcasts View all

LISTEN: Defiant Ones

A new audio series from The Washington Times

Politically Unstable

WATCH: China stoking U.S. fears over data centers

Michael Lucci joins Kelly Sadler

District of Sports Podcast

LISTEN: Evaluating Commanders training camp

District of Sports podcast

Bold & Blunt Podcast

CHUMLEY: Democrats are still TDS-Strong

Todd Starnes joins Bold and Blunt

Sponsored Content View all

From the Special Sections Department

Gateways to Health

Gateways to Health

From the Special Sections Department

AI on The Hill: Innovating With Purpose

AI on The Hill: Innovating With Purpose

From the Special Sections Department

Celebrate 250: The Fight for Political, Economic and Religious Freedom

Celebrate 250: The Fight for Political, Economic and Religious Freedom

Free Iran 2026

More Stories

People take photos near a John Harvard statue, left, on the Harvard University campus, Jan. 2, 2024, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)

Pentagon orders 30 colleges to sever ‘problematic’ ties to China, Russia, Iran

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks about his state budget proposal Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

California’s new tire rule could cost more and risk safety. Newsom says it’s worth it

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

A customer shops at a Grocery Outlet store in Pleasanton, Calif., on Sept. 15, 2022. (AP Photo/Terry Chea, File)

‘Trickflation’ sells less food at a higher price in containers that look bigger 22 minutes ago

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

Then-Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., talks with reporters after holding a town hall meeting in Sacramento, Calif., on April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) **FILE**

FBI agents seize Swalwell’s phone, raid his home in sex crime probe

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

State Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville asks a question on the SB 2-A Property Insurance bill, Dec. 14, 2022, in the House of Representatives in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Sears, File)

Florida Dem Senate candidate Angie Nixon defends taking children to drag shows as ‘wholesome’

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

School buses are seen parked at the Montgomery County Public Schools bus depot in Derwood, Md., on Friday, July 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) **FILE**

Montgomery County schools cut staff as enrollment drops, despite record-high budget

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times

This screen grab made from video provided by WCVB-TV shows a police officer standing guard over a home in Worcester, Mass., Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. (WCVB-TV via AP)

Police look for ‘armed and dangerous’ wife of Massachusetts cop found dead

By Matt Delaney - The Washington Times

Can companies really build data centers in space? Abstract blurred background illustration by Watercolorful via Shutterstock.

Report warns: China’s AI data commercialization to boost nation’s trade, intel collection, military

By Bill Gertz - The Washington Times

Cargo ships are seen at sea in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, from a rocky shoreline near Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, May 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair, File)

Is the Strait of Hormuz becoming obsolete? Gulf nations quietly build a way around Iran

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

The Treasury Department is seen near sunset in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. The Treasury Department projects that the federal government on Thursday will reach its legal borrowing capacity, an artificially imposed cap that lawmakers have increased roughly 80 times since the 1960s. Markets so far remain calm, as the government can temporarily rely on accounting tweaks to stay open. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)

Federal government sets record for red ink, warning sign for Washington

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times

Alina Habba speaks after being sworn in as interim U.S. attorney general for New Jersey on March 28, 2025, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (Pool File via AP) **FILE**

Who will Trump pick to replace Karoline Leavitt? Betting markets already have a favorite

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

State Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Fla., speaks loudly on the House floor as the House voted on HB1D, a redistricting bill, during a special session of the Florida Legislature, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) ** FILE **

Socialist notches shocking Senate primary win in deep-red Sunshine State

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

The White House is seen in Washington, on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

Key Trump aide James Braid leaving White House ahead of midterms

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

Metropolitan Police Department's MP DC decal emblem badge shown on a police vehicle. File photo credit: DCStockPhotography via Shutterstock.

12-year-old boy accused of gunning down teenager in D.C.

By Matt Delaney - The Washington Times

Brownstones in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. File photo credit: Jon Bilous via Shutterstock.

Not so socialist: DSA leader lives in $1.5 million NYC row house purchased by his parents

By Susan Ferrechio - The Washington Times

This image taken with a slow shutter speed on Oct. 2, 2019, and provided by the U.S. Air Force shows an unarmed Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile test launch at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. The world's nine nuclear-armed states continue to modernize their nuclear weapons as the countries continue to deepen their reliance on such deterrence in 2023, a Swedish think tank said Monday, June 17, 2024. (Staff Sgt. J.T. Armstrong/U.S. Air Force via AP, File)

Pentagon weighs nuclear options amid China, Russia threats

By Bill Gertz - The Washington Times

U.S. Army soldiers cross a floating bridge on the Imjin River during a joint river-crossing exercise between South Korea and the United States as a part of the Freedom Shield military exercise in Yeoncheon, South Korea, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)

Trump touts upcoming Kim meeting amid Seoul’s concerns over U.S.-South Korea alliance

By Andrew Salmon and Mike Glenn - The Washington Times

Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico speaks at a rally on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Eagle Pass, Texas. (AP Photo/Brenda Bazán) ** FILE **

Texas voters to decide who is James Talarico — a fair-minded Christian or a crunchy left-winger

By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times

Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., speaks at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 8, 2018, on the Trump administration's decision to add a new question on citizenship to the 2020 Census. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Jimmy Gomez’s accuser rejects his ‘consensual’ defense in House ethics probe of sex assault

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Parents hold pictures of their deceased children during a protest against social media platforms outside the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Former Meta engineer says Instagram took a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ approach on kids under 13

By Barbara Ortutay - Associated Press