US, Iran trade barbs ahead of new sanctions targeting Tehran and Beijing

The United States and Iran are locked in a war of words as new U.S. economic sanctions loom, poised to impact Iran and its major trading partners, particularly China.

“

The imminent US announcement of new economic sanctions on Iran was an 'assertion of extraterritorial sovereignty over every independent member state of the United Nations.'

With the conflict nearing six months, neither side is pursuing peace talks, while Iran leverages its position by threatening to strike unauthorized oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to announce "the toughest sanctions in history" on Monday, urging China, which buys over 80% of Iran's shipped oil, to cooperate with Washington. Beijing has called for diplomacy.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, criticized the imminent U.S. sanctions on Saturday, labeling them an "assertion of extraterritorial sovereignty over every independent member state of the United Nations." He argued that such secondary sanctions have no foundation in international law. U.S. President Donald Trump, who previously warned of economic consequences for any country aiding Iran, stated that Washington is observing the conflict and believes Iran is not ready for the "right deal."

“

Such secondary sanctions find no foundation in international law.

Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have been severely disrupted, with only a few commodity ships sailing through recently, none being large crude carriers. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright noted a significant drop in oil transit, from over 8 million barrels a day to much lower figures. Despite U.S. attacks diminishing Iran's economy and military, Tehran retains missile and drone capabilities to impede traffic and attack regional countries.

“

They would love to make a deal, but they're not ready to make the right deal, in my opinion.

President Trump's objectives, such as dismantling Iran's nuclear program and facilitating the overthrow of its clerical rulers, remain unachieved. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths, including Iranian schoolchildren, and significant U.S. military casualties. The chief of staff of Iran's armed forces has vowed a "crushing" military response to enemy threats.

“

Iran would respond to enemy threats militarily with 'crushing, punis'