Tehran/Washington: Iran has vowed to retaliate after the United States dramatically expanded its sanctions campaign against Tehran, targeting roughly 60 individuals, companies and vessels linked to Iranian oil revenue, military procurement, cyber operations and sanctions-evasion networks.
The new measures were announced by the US Treasury Department on August 24 under a campaign called “Operation Economic Outcast,” aimed at further isolating Iran from the international financial system. Iranian officials responded on Tuesday, August 25, warning that Tehran is prepared to take action against the growing economic pressure.
Iran Warns of Retaliation
Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh said Tehran was fully prepared for the latest American sanctions and suggested Iran would no longer limit itself to defensive economic measures.
Iran has also warned of potential military consequences if its infrastructure is threatened.
A spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi, warned that US strategic interests and energy infrastructure could face retaliation if further actions target Iran.
The rhetoric raises fresh concerns that an escalating economic confrontation could spill over into military or energy-related action across the Gulf.
US Targets Nearly 60 Iran-Linked Individuals, Entities and Vessels
According to the US Treasury Department, the latest sanctions cover nearly 60 entities, individuals and vessels operating across multiple jurisdictions.
The targets include networks accused by Washington of helping Iran obtain sensitive technology for nuclear and missile programmes, conduct cyber operations, transport Iranian oil and generate revenue for Iranian state and military institutions.
The measures include companies, brokers and shipping networks operating across locations including China, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Switzerland and Europe.
Washington says the networks have been used to hide ownership, move Iranian petroleum and bypass existing international restrictions.
Five Iranian Economic Sectors Face Greater Sanctions Risk
The United States has also expanded the areas of Iran’s economy that could become subject to secondary sanctions.
The Treasury identified five major sectors:
- Digital assets
- Technology
- Gold
- Aviation
- Shipping
This significantly expands Washington’s ability to sanction foreign individuals and companies that continue supporting or conducting certain types of business with Iran.
Secondary sanctions are particularly powerful because they can affect companies outside the United States by restricting their access to the US financial system.
US Warns Countries Doing Business With Iran
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned governments and companies around the world that they could face consequences if they continue facilitating Iranian business activities.
Washington plans to give countries a defined period to reduce or eliminate identified Iran-related activity before tougher secondary sanctions are applied.
Bessent said countries and companies involved in converting Iranian oil exports into revenue could ultimately be targeted, while stressing that Washington intends to move quickly once the compliance period ends.
However, the United States stopped short of immediately sanctioning major Chinese financial institutions suspected of facilitating Iranian oil trade.
China has been one of the largest buyers of Iranian crude oil and has criticised Washington’s sanctions strategy.
Iranian Oil Trade Remains Central to US Strategy
Reducing Tehran’s oil income remains a central objective of Washington’s pressure campaign.
Iran has relied heavily on energy exports to generate foreign currency despite years of international sanctions.
The latest measures target brokers, companies and vessels allegedly involved in transporting Iranian oil and directing proceeds toward the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other Iranian government organisations.
Washington has already imposed sanctions on more than 1,000 Iran-linked people, vessels and aircraft since President Donald Trump began his second term in 2025, according to US Treasury data cited by Reuters.
Strait of Hormuz Adds to Global Concern
The escalation comes amid continuing disruption around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.
Before the current conflict, the strait handled approximately one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas flows.
Reuters reported that only two commodity vessels passed through the strategic route on Monday, the lowest daily total since early May.
Any further disruption could place additional upward pressure on global oil and gas prices and affect economies heavily dependent on imported energy.
Pakistan Pushes for De-Escation
Diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation are continuing.
Pakistan said it had made “significant progress” during talks with Iran focused on preventing further escalation and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Pakistani officials, including Army Chief Asim Munir and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, have been involved in discussions with Tehran as Islamabad attempts to support a diplomatic solution.
However, there remains little indication of a wider breakthrough between Iran and the United States.
Tensions Enter a New Economic Phase
The latest sanctions mark a significant expansion of Washington’s economic campaign against Iran.
Rather than targeting only Iranian institutions, the United States is increasingly warning third-country companies and governments that continued economic ties with Tehran could threaten their access to the US financial system.
Iran, meanwhile, has made clear that it does not intend to accept the pressure without responding.
With economic sanctions expanding, oil shipping disrupted and both sides issuing increasingly forceful warnings, the US-Iran confrontation remains one of the biggest risks facing Middle Eastern security and global energy markets.
Source – Reuters / US Department of the Treasury
Supreme News Network
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