U.S. Announces New Sanctions on Iran Amid Ongoing Conflict

Washington unveiled a new round of sanctions targeting 60 individuals and companies worldwide for conducting business with Iran, describing the move as "Operation Economic Outcast" and an "economic D-Day." The sanctions expand restrictions to sectors such as digital assets, gold, technology, aviation and shipping, and include the possibility of secondary penalties for non-Iranian actors.

The announcement follows President Donald Trump's repeated calls for Tehran to abandon its claims over the Strait of Hormuz and return to nuclear negotiations. Analysts say the shift to economic tools reflects frustration with limited results from the military campaign, which has strained U.S. munitions stocks and required redeployment of assets such as the USS George Washington.

"The United States is returning to economic pressure because military force has failed to deliver the quick victory it expected," said Negar Mortazavi, senior fellow at the Center for International Policy.

Experts note that Iran’s oil exports largely flow through China, and the sanctions do not target major Chinese banks, limiting their immediate effect on Tehran’s revenue. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent responded to reporters that disrupting the global financial system was not the goal.

"Why would I want to blow up the global financial system?" Bessent said.

Commentators warn that while the measures may increase economic hardship for ordinary Iranians, past experience shows that such pressure does not automatically lead to policy changes in Tehran. The sanctions also come as public support for the war remains low in the United States, with recent polls indicating only about one-third of Americans approving of the conflict or the president’s performance.