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The United States is preparing unprecedented economic pressure on Iran as part of a strategy that combines new sanctions with the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would announce new measures against Tehran next week, describing them as steps “never seen before” in the history of economic isolation. Reuters reported that the measures are expected to significantly increase pressure on Iran’s economy.
A “double strike” against Tehran
The new measures are expected to combine tighter financial isolation of Iran with the continued US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Washington plans to restrict Iran’s exports and imports. The measures could also target buyers of Iranian oil through secondary sanctions against companies and countries that continue purchasing oil from Tehran, including China.
Such a move could trigger a response from Beijing and increase pressure on global energy markets.
According to Bloomberg, the United States has imposed around 2,200 sanctions on Iran since 2018. Despite years of economic pressure, however, Tehran has continued its nuclear program and maintained its position regarding control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Mohammad Reza Naghdi, an adviser to the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, recently said Tehran was considering prolonging the conflict until the end of Donald Trump’s presidential term as one possible way to ensure Iran’s security.
Washington and Tehran remain at odds over Hormuz
The two sides agreed to a ceasefire in June, but negotiations on a long-term settlement have since stalled.
In August, the United States said it was prepared to maintain its naval blockade of Iran indefinitely. Washington insists on freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran is demanding concessions in exchange for fully reopening the waterway, including sanctions relief, the withdrawal of US forces and compensation for wartime losses.
Control over the Strait of Hormuz has become one of the central issues in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran.
Iran and Oman reaffirmed the principle of freedom of navigation through the strait in June, while also discussing a new mechanism for ensuring maritime security. Oman proposed voluntary contributions from shipping companies, whereas Iran insisted that it should have the authority to charge vessels for passage.
According to Reuters, Tehran sought a fee equivalent to 5–7% of the value of cargo, while Oman proposed around 3%. The United States has opposed any mandatory charges.
Sanctions could also affect Russia
Iran’s economy has already suffered major losses. President Trump told Axios that Tehran was facing “huge inflation” and a severe shortage of funds.
According to Iranian authorities, wartime losses exceeded $270 billion by April. US and Israeli strikes damaged parts of Iran’s industrial base, including major steel and petrochemical facilities. The Financial Times reported that around 2 million people had lost their jobs because of the war, while annual inflation approached 90% in early summer.
Fighting has also sharply reduced oil supplies from the Middle East. Oil and condensate exports from the Persian Gulf states stood at around 10.7 million barrels per day in July, roughly 40% below pre-war levels.
Analysts say further weakening of Iran’s economy could reduce Tehran’s ability to produce and supply Russia with ballistic missiles and Shahed-type drones.
Secondary sanctions targeting buyers of Iranian oil could also establish a precedent for tougher measures against Russia’s “shadow fleet”, which transports Russian oil in an effort to circumvent Western restrictions.
