U.S. Warns Iran it Will Step Up Economic Pressure; Trump Asks SCOTUS to Allow Ballroom Construction

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Aug. 13 told reporters the U.S. military has the capability to maintain its naval presence to enforce its retaliatory blockade of Iran, which has inflicted severe economic damage on the country. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States planned to inflict more financial damage on Iran.

"Watch this space for more announcements coming next week because we are going to apply measures like have never been seen in the history of economic isolation on a country," he said in an interview on Newsmax's "Rob Schmitt Tonight" program.

The Trump administration on Aug. 14 asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow it to continue construction of the $400 million White House ballroom after an appeals court ruled the project lacked the necessary approval from Congress. It asked the justices to keep the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on hold while it prepares a full appeal to the Supreme Court.