‘Tremendous costs’: Can Trump stop other countries from trading with Iran?

Al Jazeera · 🇶🇦 public Qatar · Aug 20, 2026 · 2340 words · By Priyanka Shankar

International Trade Sanctions US-Iran Economic Warfare Geopolitical Influence of BRICS

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What to know about International Trade Sanctions

Al Jazeera reports: ‘Tremendous costs’: Can Trump stop other countries from trading with Iran?.

Claims checked 26

Techniques found 3

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center75%

Right25%

4 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Al Jazeera reports: ‘Tremendous costs’: Can Trump stop other countries from trading with Iran?.

Why it matters

Iran’s foreign minister has dismissed Trump’s latest threats, calling them a “diversion” from America’s own crisis.” US President Donald Trump has announced what he describes as the “most crushing economic operation” against Iran, as Washington ramps up…

Common ground

In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said Iran had “failed to take” the opportunity to make a deal, and would face “economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale”.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling, Whataboutism: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What terms are actually in the Iran proposal, and which side would have to compromise first?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that In 2025, it is believed that Beijing bought more than 80 percent of Iran’s shipped oil?
How does this story connect International Trade Sanctions with US-Iran Economic Warfare over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/20/tremendous-costs-can-trump-stop-other-c…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 3 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 90% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Name Calling / Labeling 80% confidence

Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.

Why it matters: Recognizing name calling / labeling helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Whataboutism 85% confidence

Deflecting criticism by pointing to a different issue.

Why it matters: Recognizing whataboutism helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 26 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 16

check_circle Corroborated 6

verified Verified By Reference 2

info Single Source 1

help Insufficient Evidence 1

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Claim 1: “In 2025, it is believed that Beijing bought more than 80 percent of Iran’s shipped oil”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 2: “Trade turnover reached $4.8bn last year [2024]”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 3: “On Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced an indefinite trade embargo on Iran, accusing Iranian forces of firing two ballistic missiles at its territory this week.”

CORROBORATED

Al Jazeera and other news reports confirm the UAE announced an indefinite trade embargo on Iran following accusations of ballistic missile strikes on its territory.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Since 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel have been at war with Iran and its regional allies. Hostilities broke out after US–Israeli airstrikes killed several Iranian officials, including S…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Iran_war

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Iran and Saudi Arabia are engaged in a proxy war over influence in the Middle East and other regions of the Muslim world. The two countries have provided varying degrees of support to opposing sides i…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran–Saudi_Arabia_proxy_war

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — At around 12:53 p.m. on 28 February 2026, following the coordinated 2026 United States–Israeli strikes on Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran launched a multiday series of missile and drone airstrikes …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates_in_the_20…

+ 3 more evidence sources

info

Claim 4: “In May, crude oil exports fell to their lowest level in at least six years, at below 300,000bpd”

SINGLE SOURCE

The provided web search results are about Microsoft Office updates and Windows security updates from May 2026, not Iranian oil exports.

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web search NEUTRAL — May 12, 2026 · Microsoft released the following security updates for Office in May 2026. These updates are intended to help our customers keep their computers up to date. We recommend that you install…
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/servicing/office/may-202…

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web search NEUTRAL — Oct 11, 2022 · For more information about security vulnerabilities, please refer to the Security Update Guide website and the May 2024 Security Updates. Windows 11 servicing stack update - 22621.3522 …
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/servicing/os/windows-11/…

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web search NEUTRAL — Aug 2, 2016 · Windows Server 2016 Windows 10, version 1607 Applies to: Windows Server 2016 This security update includes fixes and improvements that are a part of the following update: April 14, 2026—…
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/servicing/os/windows-10/…

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Claim 5: “official goods traded between the UAE and Iran amounted to $6.2bn in 2023.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

verified

Claim 6: “Before the war, Tehran exported roughly 1.3 million to 1.5 million barrels of crude oil per day, earning about $115m a day – or $3.45bn per month – in early February.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The provided web search results for this claim are irrelevant (referring to decorative panels), and Wikipedia entries provide general war timelines but not these specific export figures for early February.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and historically known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian S…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — This timeline of the 2026 Iran war covers the period since 28 February 2026.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_2026_Iran_war

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 7: “Since its establishment in 2006, it [BRICS] has expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Indonesia.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 8: “Iran is a member of the OPEC oil producers group”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent news sources (Al Jazeera, NY Post, CNBC) explicitly state that Iran is a member of OPEC.

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cross reference SUPPORTS — OPEC+ has 21 members, including Iran.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/3/opec-announces-symbo…

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cross reference SUPPORTS — OPEC+ includes 21 members including Iran
https://nypost.com/2026/05/03/business/opec-agrees-on-third-…

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cross reference SUPPORTS — the UAE was the target of missile and drone attacks for weeks by fellow OPEC member Iran
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/28/uae-opec-oil-iran.html

+ 2 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 9: “Turkiye’s exports to Iran were $2.3bn in 2025, while imports were $2.2bn over 11 months of the year”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 10: “The US has also reimposed sanctions on Iranian oil, the Department of the Treasury announced Tuesday.”

CORROBORATED

Web search results confirm the US announced the reimposition of tough oil and economic sanctions against Iran, with one source specifically mentioning a Tuesday announcement by the US Treasury.

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web search NEUTRAL — The latest escalation included US strikes on Iranian oil tankers after Washington said Iran had launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships. On Tuesday, the US Treasury also announced a new ro…
https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202609/11/WS6aa373a1e4b06…

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web search NEUTRAL — TEHRAN, November 06 - The United States has announced reimposition of the “toughest” sanctions ever against Iran in an attempt to curtail the Islamic Republic’s oil exports and put extra pressure on t…
https://www.yjc.ir/en/news/31135/us-announces-reimposition-o…

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web search NEUTRAL — Most US “secondary” sanctions on Iran – which impose restrictions on non-US persons for doing business in certain sectors of the Iranian economy, or with certain Iranian entities or individuals – were…
https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=8f4a3b99-b4e4…

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Claim 11: “German exports to Iran slumped by one-quarter to 871 million euros ($1.02bn) over the period”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 12: “US President Donald Trump has announced what he describes as the “most crushing economic operation” against Iran”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent sources, including Al Jazeera and various web reports, confirm that Donald Trump announced the 'most crushing economic operation' against Iran.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — On July 9, 2026, The Wall Street Journal published a report based on intelligence provided by Israel, which indicated that Iran planned to assassinate United States President Donald Trump in Ankara, T…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_alleged_Iranian_plot_to_a…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — There have been multiple alleged Iranian attempts to assassinate United States president Donald Trump. U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies have tracked evidence for years of Iranian efforts…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alleged_Iranian_attempts_to_as…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — In 2025 and 2026, Iran and the United States began a series of negotiations aimed at reaching a nuclear peace agreement, following a letter from US president Donald Trump to Iranian supreme leader Ali…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025–2026_Iran–United_States_n…

+ 4 more evidence sources

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Claim 13: “China has barred its own firms from complying with US sanctions in May, the first time it has invoked that blocking law.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

verified

Claim 14: “Tajikistan and Iran finalised an agreement which would enable Tehran to export oil to Dushanbe.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

While Wikipedia provides general information on Iran-Tajikistan relations and Dushanbe, none of the provided evidence confirms a specific recent agreement to export oil to Dushanbe.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Dushanbe is the capital and largest city of Tajikistan. As of February 2023, Dushanbe had a population of 1,228,400, with this population being largely Tajik. Until 1929, the city was known in Russia…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dushanbe

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Iran–Tajikistan relations refer to the bilateral relations between Iran and Tajikistan. The two are sometimes described as "One Spirit in Two Bodies" due to both being Persian-speaking countries. Shar…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran–Tajikistan_relations

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Tajikistan, officially the Republic of Tajikistan, is a landlocked country located in Central Asia. Dushanbe is the capital and largest city of the country, with a population of over 1.2 million. Taji…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tajikistan

+ 3 more evidence sources

help

Claim 15: “The US granted Iran a 60-day full waiver, allowing Tehran to sell crude oil amid the ongoing peace talks as part of the June Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran that expired on August 21.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was found in the provided search results to support the claim regarding a 60-day waiver or a June MoU expiring on August 21.

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Claim 16: “Before the war began at the end of February, Iran was exporting $12bn worth of goods and services to Iraq annually”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 17: “Non-oil exports between the start of Iran’s fiscal year on March 21 and August 16 reached nearly $15bn, while imports were $17bn”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 18: “Iranian exports to Germany stood at around 217 million euros ($253.6m) in the first 11 months of 2025”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 19: “China is believed to be Iran’s largest trading partner with total bilateral trade estimated at between $10bn and $41bn annually.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 20: “Its total bilateral trade with Iran stood at around $1.6bn in 2025, according to India’s commerce ministry.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 21: “He also threatened sanctions against any country that does business with Iran.”

CORROBORATED

Flipboard, web search results, and reports of Trump's Truth Social posts confirm he threatened sanctions/economic consequences against any country doing business with Iran.

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web search NEUTRAL — Trump threatens 'tremendous economic consequences' on any country helping Iran. 4 hours ago.Trump on Truth Social: No one has given the Islamic Republic of Iran a greater opportunity to make a Deal th…
https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqNggKIjBDQklTSGpvSmMzUnZj…

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web search NEUTRAL — He also threatened sanctions against any country that does business with Iran.Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, dismissed Trump's latest threats of economic sanctions, calling it a "diversion …
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/trump-announces…

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web search NEUTRAL — Trump had previously threatened cascading sanctions against third countries, warning that any country providing Iran with a lifeline through financial institutions, companies or government agencies wo…
https://economy.ac/news/2026/08/202608290477

+ 1 more evidence source

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Claim 22: “Iran’s central bank chief announced last week that the country is set to join the BRICS New Development Bank.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 23: “Last year, from March 2025 to January 2026, Iran’s total non-oil trade was $94 billion.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 24: “New Delhi, however, stopped importing oil from Iran in 2019 after the US imposed new sanctions on Iranian oil.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 25: “Tehran has also supplied Russia with low-cost Shahed drones”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 26: “Trump said Iran had “failed to take” the opportunity to make a deal, and would face “economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale”.”

CORROBORATED

The claim is corroborated by Xinhua, LinkedIn, and reports of a Truth Social post, all stating Trump said Iran failed to make a deal and would face unprecedented economic warfare and isolation.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Trumpism is the political ideology behind Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th president of the United States, and his political base. It is often used in close conjunction with the Make America Great Agai…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trumpism

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+ 3 more evidence sources

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.