The United States is preparing a new round of economic measures against Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expected to announce them on Monday. President Donald Trump has described the planned action as an “economic D-Day” intended to intensify pressure on Iran’s economy and government.
The measures could expose banks, oil buyers and refiners, shipping companies, ports, airports, exchange houses, front companies and potentially governments involved in Iranian trade to secondary sanctions. Analysts cited in the source report said the penalties may deepen economic damage without necessarily changing Iran’s behaviour.
What could be targeted
The planned US measures come as Iran faces pressure on several parts of its trade network. Washington could penalise organisations that help move Iranian oil, process payments, operate shipping routes or facilitate commercial exchanges.
Iran has responded to earlier US and allied penalties with a sanctions-evasion system that includes a shadow tanker fleet, ship-to-ship oil transfers, shell companies, alternative payment arrangements and barter. These methods have helped Tehran continue trading, but they have not prevented repeated domestic economic shocks.
Related coverage: Iran weighs economic survival as Washington threatens harsher sanctions.
Why the pressure is arriving now
The United States has pursued a “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran since 2018, when Trump’s first administration unilaterally withdrew from a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. That agreement had lifted United Nations sanctions in exchange for verified limits on Iran’s nuclear programme.
The economic pressure is now unfolding alongside a US military blockade affecting Iran-linked shipping. US Central Command said its forces had redirected 70 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two, and said the blockade could last indefinitely. Iran’s land borders, railway network and access to the Caspian Sea provide alternative routes, according to the source report.
What it means for people and trade
The Iranian rial fell to a new all-time low on Monday, reaching 2.03 million rials against the US dollar in Tehran’s open market. The decline has weakened purchasing power, while regular blackouts and planned government austerity measures point to broader economic strain.
More context: Washington raises economic pressure on Iran as Tehran issues a warning.
Iran has expanded trade with China, Russia and other countries using local currencies, barter, intermediaries and discounts. It has also increased overland commerce through Iraq, Turkiye, Pakistan, the Caucasus and Central Asia. China is described as Tehran’s most important economic lifeline because of its demand for Iranian oil, although major Chinese banks and globally exposed companies may avoid transactions that threaten access to the US financial system.
Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan could help diversify transport and trade routes, while Turkiye, Iraq, the UAE and other regional partners may reduce their exposure if secondary sanctions become sufficiently credible and costly. China’s Foreign Ministry said sanctions and pressure would escalate tensions rather than resolve the conflict.
Also read: Iran threatens retaliation as US prepares new economic sanctions.
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