US Sanctions on Iran Spark Heated Response from Tehran and Beijing

The US has announced new sanctions on Iran, which Tehran warns will not bring peace to the region. The expanded sanctions include measures against countries cooperating with Washington.

'Any escalation of this situation will undoubtedly bring about consequences,' said Esmail Baghaei, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson. 'Our hands are not tied.'

The new head of Iran's top security body warned that Tehran will see any country's support for the sanctions as an 'act of war'. The US has not dislodged Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's traded oil passed before the war started nearly six months ago.

Iran demands reopening the strait include lifting the US naval blockade, withdrawing US forces from the region and reparations for damages sustained in the war. China warns that new sanctions will 'escalate the situation' and urges all parties to avoid measures that could further intensify differences and conflicts.