On August 28, 2026, the dominant story was the fuel price hike announced by President Pezeshkian. State-aligned media led with his statement that the third-tier gasoline price would rise to 10,000 tomans, linking it to wartime conditions and reduced revenues. This came amid a US naval blockade and economic isolation campaign, with reports of long fuel queues and a 92% drop in gold imports. Concurrently, the Supreme Leader's message for Government Week, declaring any act harming social cohesion as forbidden, was prominently covered by state outlets. Foreign Persian-language media framed the fuel crisis as a consequence of US pressure, while also reporting on new US sanctions on an Egyptian bank in the UAE. Earlier, Trump claimed the Strait of Hormuz was open and Iran's response 'very mild', while Iran's defense minister promised 'surprises'. The day saw no diplomatic breakthrough, with Trump reiterating he does not want to meet Iranians.