Economic Gamble Amid Military Stalemate: U.S. Sanctions on Iran Target China

On August 24 local time, U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent announced in Washington the launch of a new round of large-scale economic sanctions against Iran, code-named "Operation Economic Pariah," aimed directly at severing "all economic lifelines" of Iran until its complete isolation. Bessent described the operation as an "economic D-Day," marking a significant escalation in U.S. economic pressure on Iran.

**U.S. Escalates Maximum Pressure, Targeting Iran's Economic Lifeline**

This sanctions campaign represents a major economic gamble by the U.S. amid a military stalemate. Bessent explicitly stated that Washington would further intensify economic isolation of Iran and attempt to push other countries, including China, to cooperate. Previously, the U.S. had set up a reverse blockade on the periphery, forming a "dual blockade" pattern with Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, seeking to shift from a military war of attrition to an economic one and cut off Iran's maritime channels of external engagement. The U.S. believes that ensuring control over key maritime chokepoints and maintaining a stable, low-priced outflow of Middle Eastern oil are its core strategic objectives.

**Iran Responds Firmly, Calling U.S. Actions "Doomed to Fail"**

In the face of U.S. maximum pressure, Iran has sent strong and complex signals. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi directly assessed the latest U.S. economic actions as "doomed to fail." Meanwhile, Iran's military continues to emphasize its control over the waters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, using the right of passage through the strait as a key geopolitical lever. However, Iran has not completely closed the door to dialogue, still engaging in consultations on strait navigation issues through regional channels such as Oman, preserving diplomatic space for the situation.

**China Clearly Opposes Illegal Unilateral Sanctions**

Regarding U.S. urging China to cooperate with sanctions on Iran, Beijing has reiterated its consistent stance. At a regular Foreign Ministry press conference on August 21, spokesperson Lin Jian reaffirmed China's opposition to illegal unilateral sanctions lacking a basis in international law and without UN Security Council authorization, calling on all relevant parties to take responsible measures and resolve issues through political and diplomatic means. Analysts point out that the U.S. threat exposes its predicament on the Iran issue. According to The New York Times, citing Wu Xinbo, a U.S. studies scholar at Fudan University in Shanghai, the U.S. issued this threat not because it deems it feasible, but because it has "no choice" to escape a "self-inflicted predicament."