Iran has cautioned neighboring countries that any participation in Washington’s forthcoming sanctions campaign will be treated as an act of hostility, with potential retaliatory measures against their interests. The warning, reported by Al Jazeera, follows the Trump administration’s announcement of new restrictions targeting Tehran, scheduled for unveiling by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday.
The measures are framed as the most severe sanctions imposed on Iran to date, with potential targets including independent Chinese refineries purchasing Iranian crude, major Chinese banks facilitating Iranian financial transactions, and secondary tariffs on nations engaged in trade with Tehran. The Trump administration has framed the sanctions as a response to Iran’s regional activities and nuclear program, though no specifics on the scope or timeline of enforcement have been disclosed.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil transit, remains largely closed amid the ongoing stalemate. Iranian officials have stated the waterway will not reopen while the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports persists, though limited exceptions have been permitted for select vessels, including some Iraqi tankers. Prior to the conflict, the strait handled over 20 million barrels of oil per day, a figure now reduced to approximately 8 million barrels daily despite military operations aimed at maintaining minimal transit.
Diplomatic efforts to restore regional trade routes are underway. Oman has engaged in discussions with Tehran regarding reopening agreements, though no resolution has been reached. French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are set to explore alternative trade corridors, including expanded pipeline networks, rail connections, and increased utilization of Oman’s ports outside the Gulf. Pakistan has also signaled support for regional diplomacy, with its army chief, Asim Munir, scheduled to visit Tehran.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described the conflict as a "full-scale economic, military, and security war" and acknowledged severe domestic economic challenges. He called for an end to the prolonged "neither war nor peace" impasse, while Parliament President Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Head of Security Mohsen Rezaei reiterated the regime’s defiance against external pressure.
China has emerged as a key buyer of Iranian oil, purchasing more than 80% of Tehran’s seaborne exports in 2025, according to reports. The shift has provided Iran with a lifeline amid international isolation, though the sustainability of these trade flows remains uncertain amid heightened U.S. scrutiny.
