What are Trump's options as US eyes 'never been seen' sanctions on Iran?

The United States is preparing to implement a new wave of economic sanctions against Iran, described by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as measures that have "never been seen." These stringent actions are slated to be announced as early as next week, signaling a significant escalation in U.S. pressure on Tehran. In response, Iran has issued a stern warning, declaring that any nation joining the U.S. "economic war" will be considered an enemy. This stance was articulated by Mohsen Rezai, head of Iran's supreme national security council, who urged countries not to participate in the economic restrictions. The U.S. has a long history of imposing sanctions, trade embargoes, and asset freezes on Iran, dating back to the late 1970s. Since the commencement of hostilities between the U.S. and Iran in February, Washington has intensified these measures, targeting Iran's maritime and energy sectors, and implementing a naval blockade. Data from the U.S. Treasury Department indicates that over 1,000 individuals, vessels, and aircraft have been sanctioned since President Trump's second term began. Recent targets include Iran's oil fleet, shipping insurers, entities facilitating weapons acquisition, and digital exchanges, resulting in the freezing of an estimated $500 billion in cryptocurrency. Experts suggest the Trump administration is considering several options to further pressure Iran's economy. One significant possibility involves sanctioning China's independent refineries, known as "teapots." These refineries account for a quarter of China's refining capacity and are major buyers of Iranian oil, absorbing much of the trade. While past U.S. sanctions have deterred larger refiners, these smaller, independent operations often operate on narrow profit margins and have less direct exposure to the U.S. financial system, potentially complicating the effectiveness of secondary sanctions.

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We declare to all countries ... do not join the economic war waged by the United States.