Trump escalates economic pressure on Iran with threats of "crushing" sanctions while U.S. debt hits $40 trillion, forcing the government to spend more on interest than defense. Meanwhile, U.S. oil companies are signing major deals in Venezuela for the first time in nearly two decades, signaling a shift in American foreign policy amid regional uncertainty. The U.S. government now spends over $1 trillion annually on interest payments, more than on national defense, as the $40 trillion debt burden forces higher borrowing costs affecting mortgages and small business loans.