Iran has condemned plans by the United States to impose new sanctions, warning that the measures could place further pressure on its already-struggling economy and affect key trading partners, including China.
The warning comes nearly six months after the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on February 28. While the two sides are no longer exchanging fire, there has been little indication that either is moving towards peace negotiations.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei criticised the planned measures on Saturday, describing the proposed sanctions as an attempt to impose US authority beyond its borders. He argued that secondary sanctions against other countries had no basis under international law.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to announce the new measures at a press conference on Monday, after previously promising what he described as the “toughest sanctions in history” against Iran.
Washington has also urged China to cooperate with its efforts. China remains a crucial buyer of Iranian oil, accounting for more than 80% of Iran’s shipped oil exports in 2025, according to Kpler data. Beijing, however, has continued to call for diplomacy.
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warned neighbouring countries against supporting Washington’s economic campaign. He said Tehran would regard countries that joined the US effort as enemies and could target their interests.
The latest tensions are unfolding as oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted. Thousands of seafarers are reportedly stranded aboard hundreds of vessels, while only a handful of commodity ships have recently managed to pass through the strategic waterway.
Iran has nevertheless allowed several Iraqi oil tankers to cross the Strait after receiving repeated requests from Baghdad, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA. The arrangement was reportedly among the key requests raised during a visit by Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf to Iraq.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the US military had helped facilitate the movement of an average of eight million barrels of oil a day through the Strait. That figure remains substantially below the more than 20 million barrels transported daily before the conflict, equivalent to around one-fifth of global oil consumption.
Despite heavy damage to Iran’s economy and military capabilities, Tehran retains missile and drone capabilities that could continue to threaten tanker traffic and regional targets. Iranian military officials have also sought to demonstrate the country’s ability to continue producing ballistic missiles.
Qalibaf said Iran had received numerous messages from neighbouring countries regarding possible new regional security arrangements and economic cooperation. He argued that a locally driven regional security framework could provide greater stability.
US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, has yet to achieve all the objectives he set at the beginning of the conflict, including dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme and creating conditions for the overthrow of its clerical leadership.
Thousands of people have been killed during the conflict, with Iran suffering the majority of casualties. The United States has reported more than 750 military personnel wounded and 18 killed.
Although Tehran continues to reject US pressure, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has also expressed support for a diplomatic resolution, saying it would be preferable to end the war while Iran remains in a position of strength.
