US Presses China, Allies to Economically Isolate Iran
The United States is pressing allies and China to support President Donald Trump’s intensified economic campaign against Iran, as Washington shifts towards tougher sanctions and financial pressure. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has warned countries against helping Tehran bypass restrictions and vowed to impose what he described as the toughest sanctions yet.
US Pushes Allies to Isolate Iran Economy
Bessent said Washington intends to combine sanctions with other economic measures aimed at restricting Iran’s access to international finance, oil revenues and trading networks.
The Trump administration has warned countries, companies and financial institutions that continuing to facilitate Iranian trade could expose them to significant economic consequences.
Washington is particularly targeting oil purchases, payment channels, shipping networks and intermediaries used by Tehran to maintain access to foreign currency.
China Faces Pressure Over Iran Oil Imports
China is a major focus of the US campaign because it remains Iran’s largest oil customer and accounts for more than 80% of Iranian seaborne crude exports.
Bessent urged Beijing to cooperate with Washington, arguing that China also has an interest in restoring stability around the Strait of Hormuz because of its dependence on Gulf energy supplies.
Beijing has rejected unilateral sanctions and maintained that diplomatic negotiations, rather than economic coercion, offer the best route towards resolving the crisis.
Trump Intensifies Economic War on Iran
Trump has described the new campaign as an unprecedented economic operation designed to increase pressure on Tehran following the breakdown of diplomatic efforts.
Iran has condemned Washington’s strategy as “economic terrorism” and indicated that intensified sanctions will not force it to abandon its position.
The confrontation raises the prospect of secondary sanctions affecting countries that continue significant trade with Iran, potentially widening the economic consequences of the US-Iran conflict.
