Iran has vowed to push back against an expanded round of U.S. sanctions designed to further isolate its economy, while expressing confidence that key trading partners will resist pressure from Washington.
The latest measures, announced by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday, broaden the scope of sanctions against Iran as Washington intensifies efforts to restrict the country’s access to international trade and finance.
Bessent warned that countries continuing to conduct business with Iran could eventually face exclusion from the U.S. dollar-based financial system. However, he did not specify when such penalties would take effect or identify countries that could be targeted, saying governments would be given time to comply.
The U.S. Treasury separately imposed sanctions on 60 individuals, entities and vessels linked to Iran. The list, however, did not include Chinese financial institutions accused of helping facilitate Iranian oil transactions.
China has remained Iran’s largest buyer of crude oil in recent years, making its trade relationship with Tehran a key test of Washington’s sanctions strategy.
The latest U.S. action comes amid an ongoing confrontation between Washington and Tehran that has continued for nearly six months, with efforts to resolve the conflict yet to produce a lasting settlement.
Washington has also intensified restrictions on Iranian oil exports, with measures targeting Iran’s ports contributing to a decline in oil flows to China since the U.S. renewed its blockade in July.
Tehran’s response signals that the latest sanctions are unlikely to ease tensions, with Iran relying on its economic and diplomatic relationships with major trading partners to withstand mounting U.S. pressure.
