US Unleashes 'One-Two Punch' on Iran with Toughest Sanctions Yet

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Thursday (21/8) that Washington would impose its toughest sanctions yet on Iran, a move he called a 'one-two punch' aimed at destabilizing the country's government.

Bessent warned that any country providing assistance to Iran could face economic consequences, including China, which is one of the major buyers of Iranian oil. According to data from analytics firm Kpler, China purchased more than 80% of Iran's seaborne oil shipments in 2025.

However, China rejected the US approach, calling on all parties to resolve the issue through political and diplomatic channels. A spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington stated that sanctions and pressure would not help resolve the conflict.

Bessent also addressed concerns about the potential impact of economic pressure on Iran, saying that it may have been misinterpreted by the oil market. He argued that if the US applies maximum economic pressure, the likelihood of a major military escalation could actually decrease.