US Sanctions on Iran Spark Harsh Warning from Tehran

The United States is set to announce expanded sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to warn of harsh consequences. Esmail Baghaei, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, stated that any escalation of the situation will bring about consequences and that 'our hands are not tied.' This comes after weeks of impasse, with the US failing to dislodge Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz.

The new sanctions aim to target countries cooperating with Washington, which could further exacerbate tensions in the region. China has expressed concern about the impact of additional pressure, stating that it will 'only exacerbate tensions and escalate the situation.' Beijing is the largest buyer of Iranian oil, importing over 80% of its crude before the US-Israeli war.

Meanwhile, Israeli and Syrian officials met to discuss restarting negotiations for a future security agreement. The talks focused on addressing Israel's concerns about Turkey's presence in Syria and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from a buffer zone in southern Syria.