PDB — 2026-08-26 0011

Washington has pivoted to economic strangulation on Iran, with new strikes before the November 3 midterms unlikely. Operation Economic Outcast's sectoral sanctions, the Syria State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) rescission, and Kharg Island's near-total export halt operationalize a posture officials frame as durable through the vote. A 7.5% tariff on China is likely before the late-September Trump-Xi…