US Imposes Sanctions on Iran Amidst Opposition From China and Russia

By the Editorial Team · Friday, August 28, 2026

The United States has imposed a new series of sanctions on Iran, including penalties on countries that continue trading with Tehran, while enforcing a naval blockade that has sharply reduced Iranian oil exports. Although these measures have severely strained Iran's economy, major powers like China and Russia have resisted compliance, casting doubt on the sanctions' overall impact.

The United States has announced a new round of sanctions targeting Iran in what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described as “the single greatest financial offensive ever marshalled against an adversary.” The measures, unveiled on Monday, include secondary sanctions aimed at penalizing countries or entities that continue to engage in trade with Tehran.

In the lead-up to the US announcement, the United Arab Emirates, Iran’s largest trading partner in the Middle East, declared it would cease all trade with Iran—a move Tehran suspects was coordinated with Washington. The United States has vowed to impose penalties on any nation that violates the sanctions, intensifying pressure on Iran’s economy.

China, which has historically been the primary importer of Iranian oil, remains defiant. Despite US threats earlier this year targeting Chinese refiners and their financial backers, China’s government instructed domestic companies to disregard Washington’s warnings. A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry reaffirmed Beijing’s opposition to unilateral sanctions, describing them as illegitimate and inconsistent with international law. China has also enacted statutes designed to counteract the effects of US sanctions within its jurisdiction. Russia, similarly, has shown no indication of complying with the new US measures.

Unlike previous attempts, the current US campaign has been bolstered by an effective naval blockade of Iranian ports, significantly curtailing Iran’s oil exports to Asia. This blockade has driven shipping costs to some of their highest levels in years, dealing a severe blow to Tehran’s foreign currency earnings. The White House contends that these combined measures have pushed the Iranian economy to the brink of collapse, citing hyperinflation and a drastic shortage of foreign exchange. The Iranian rial traded at approximately 2 million to the US dollar on the unofficial market, declining 4.5% since President Donald Trump announced the “crushing economic operation” against Iran last week. Trump underscored the US stance with a social media post declaring, “Iran is completely collapsing!!!”

Iran, which has endured various forms of US economic pressure for more than two decades, has yet to buckle. Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s security chief, warned that the country would respond with an “earthquake-like” retaliation if the United States proceeds with the new sanctions. He also cautioned Gulf states against joining Washington’s sanctions campaign. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained heavily disrupted over the weekend, further exacerbating global energy market tensions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the sanctions as signs of US desperation, asserting that such measures would fail to defeat Tehran. In a recent interview, Secretary Bessent reinforced the US position, stating that America is urging its allies and other nations to cease trade with Iran and pledging to exert “all its power against anyone who does not comply.”

Despite these pressures, key global players such as China and Russia appear unwilling to acquiesce to US demands, leaving the effectiveness of the latest sanctions in question.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.