Iran has urged all countries to refuse enforcement of the United States sanctions imposed on Tehran, denouncing participation as support for what it calls the unlawful imposition of one nation’s policies on sovereign states.
In a statement released on Friday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that all countries bear a responsibility to reject these sanctions, warning that compliance would amount to complicity in their enforcement. The ministry condemned the latest US economic measures as illegal, labeling them as “state terrorism” and crimes against humanity. It highlighted the severe risks these sanctions pose to the health and livelihoods of millions of civilians.
The statement also called on the international community to uphold the rule of law, asserting that Iran would employ all available means to defend itself against what it described as a combined military and economic assault by the US and Israel.
Earlier this week, the US introduced an expanded package of sanctions designed to intensify pressure on Iran and deter foreign companies and governments from engaging in certain types of trade with Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent characterized the campaign as a significant escalation, combining new restrictions on Iran-linked entities with warnings that foreign businesses involved in evading sanctions could face penalties.
Although Washington has not specified which countries might be targeted or set firm dates for potential actions, the new strategy threatens foreign entities accused of assisting Iran in bypassing US sanctions or facilitating money laundering with loss of access to the American financial system. The scope of secondary sanctions has also been broadened to include activities involving cryptocurrencies, gold, technology, aviation, and shipping.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has separately sanctioned nearly 60 individuals, companies, and vessels allegedly connected to Iran. These actions primarily target networks involved in defense procurement, nuclear and missile development, cyber operations, and the international trade of Iranian oil.
More than 20 of the newly sanctioned targets are based in the Middle East and Asia, with US officials accusing them of providing financial or logistical support to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. Several companies based in China were also designated for allegedly supplying dual-use goods to an Iranian technology institute previously sanctioned.
Washington has further tightened restrictions on individuals accused of cybercrime and other activities deemed threats to US national security.
Iran’s oil sector remains a central focus of the sanctions campaign. The latest measures target brokers, bunkering firms, and financial intermediaries involved in Iranian crude exports, including entities and individuals located in the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Additionally, the US has designated five tankers as part of what it calls Iran’s “shadow fleet,” classifying these vessels as blocked property to prevent US persons and entities from engaging in financial transactions involving them.
