New Delhi: The United States has announced a fresh expansion of sanctions against Iran, targeting five sectors that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described
as critical economic lifelines used by Tehran through overseas networks. The new measures cover digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping, as Washington steps up its economic pressure campaign against Iran.
Speaking in Washington, Bessent said the measures were aimed at cutting Iran off from financial and commercial networks outside the country. “The new sectoral sanctions determinations issued today target five of Iran’s most vital lifelines,” he said, referring to the five sectors.
The US Treasury said the new determinations expand the categories of Iran-related activity that could face secondary sanctions in the future. The move is intended to increase the risks for foreign companies and entities that continue to facilitate Iranian economic activity.
Washington expands pressure on Iran
The latest measures form part of what the Trump administration has described as an intensified economic campaign against Tehran. Bessent said Washington was launching an ‘economic onslaught’ against Iran and warned that entities involved in laundering money for Iran could lose access to the US dollar system.
The Treasury has also imposed new sanctions on dozens of Iran-linked individuals and entities, with targets spread across several countries. Reuters reported that the latest action includes entities linked to China, the UAE, Singapore and France, while major Chinese financial institutions were not included in the latest round.
The focus on digital assets and gold reflects Washington’s efforts to disrupt alternative channels through which Iran can move or preserve funds outside conventional banking networks. Aviation and shipping measures, meanwhile, seek to put further pressure on the networks used to move people, goods and Iranian-linked commodities.
Sanctions come amid US-Iran war
The new measures come as the US-Iran conflict approaches its six-month mark and Washington seeks to combine military and economic pressure on Tehran. The administration has increasingly focused on Iran’s ability to generate revenue and maintain international trade links.
The sanctions also carry implications for countries and companies that continue to do business with Iran. Bessent has warned that Washington could take action against foreign entities facilitating Iranian transactions, although the US has not immediately imposed penalties on every country or institution covered by the expanded framework.
The latest move therefore represents a broader attempt to isolate Iran economically by targeting not only Iranian entities directly, but also the overseas networks that allow Tehran to maintain access to finance, technology, transportation and trade.
