The United States announced new sanctions against Iran and almost 60 Iran‑linked entities, people and ships as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned countries and companies doing business with Tehran that they could face the full reach of United States economic power.
Bessent described the measures as an economic onslaught aimed at cutting off Iran’s financial connections worldwide and forcing Tehran into greater economic isolation.
“Our objective is to sever every lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime until Tehran stands alone,” Bessent said.
The United States Treasury said the sanctions target networks linked to Iran’s nuclear, missile, cyber and oil activities as well as companies and vessels allegedly involved in helping Tehran evade existing sanctions.
US targets global network accused of helping Iran evade sanctions
The Treasury says the sanctions hit a group of broker firms and shadow‑fleet ships moving across the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Switzerland and Europe. The Treasury notes that the sanctions target these networks.
Washington also spotted assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping as fields that Iran uses to back its economy, and Washington has opened them up to possible secondary sanctions. Iran is again in the spotlight of these sanctions.
The Treasury paused licences that let some remittance payments go to Iran. The Treasury’s move affects how money can reach Iran.
Bessent said the United States had traced every node, every helper and every network that Iran has used to ship oil and dodge sanctions. The United States has mapped each part of Iran’s oil routes.
He warned that businesses and banks would not be able to work in the areas he called around Iran‑related deals. Iran’s transactions face limits.
Countries urged to sever ties with Tehran
The Treasury secretary said the US is also putting pressure on governments to stop activities that Washington considers to be supporting Iran.
Bessent said President Donald Trump has been calling world leaders and making requests to stop interactions with Tehran.
Bessent did not say which countries Donald Trump had contacted, because Bessent said the US would not “name names”.
According to Bessent, US officials from the Treasury and State departments are following up with governments and groups to talk about Washington’s expectations and deadlines.
“Every country has a defined timeline ” Bessent said. Bessent added that the “clock just started ticking.”
Bessent warned that countries that fail to act could face consequences.
“We do not have patience here ” Bessent said.
China continues to be a major focus.
Bessent was also asked why major Chinese banks were not part of the targets.
He said no organization was safe from US sanctions but suggested that Washington was using diplomacy now when dealing with Beijing.
“We believe the best way to work with countries is through diplomacy,” Bessent said.
China is very important to Washington’s plan regarding Iran because it has been the buyer of Iranian oil. According to information from Reuters, Chinese buyers made up more than 80% of Iran’s oil that was shipped in 2025.
Harming Chinese financial institutions could cause a reaction from Beijing, especially before the planned meetings between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Major financial institution may come under sanctions
Bessent also said that the US might announce sanctions against a financial institution before the end of the week because of its work with Iran.
He mentioned that groups that help with money laundering for Iran might lose access to the US dollar system.
This warning adds another part to Washington’s efforts, which could make international banks and financial institutions more careful when handling transactions related to Iran.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains sharply restricted
I notice that the latest sanctions come as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains dramatically lower than it was before the war.
I see that shipping data shows than 20 commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend. Four vessels crossed on Sunday and thirteen on Saturday. The numbers might change because some ships turned off their tracking systems.
I observe that before the conflict than 130 ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz each day.
I see that the ongoing restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have caused disruptions in energy supplies and higher fuel prices.
US opts for economic pressure over further military action
Washington’s newest campaign follows months of conflict that involve the United States, Israel and Iran.
The United States joined Israel in action against Iran in February. The United States said that one of its goals was to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.
The conflict has killed thousands of people in Iran and Lebanon. Iran still has missile and drone weapons that have threatened United States allies in the Gulf and have disrupted shipping.
Although direct United States airstrikes have largely stopped in recent weeks, attempts to reach a wider settlement have stalled since the last official talks in June.
Bessent previously described the measures as the toughest sanctions in history. Bessent argued that economic pressure, combined with the United States blockade of Iranian ports, could lower the need for more military operations.
Washington sends a warning to Iran’s partners
These new sanctions show that Washington is trying to do more than just hit Iran. Washington is trying to strike the networks that help Tehran make money and keep trading with the rest of the world.
Bessent made it clear that the US wants governments, banks and companies to make a choice. These entities must choose between doing business with Iran or keeping their access to the US-led system.
“Those who stand with the United States will reap the rewards of our partnership ” Bessent said. Bessent also warned that anyone who keeps supporting Tehran should expect to “share in the isolation” of the government.
