US Launches Operation Economic Outcast with New Sanctions on Iran

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The United States has announced a new round of sanctions against Iran under the name "Operation Economic Outcast," with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent comparing this escalation to D-Day. The measures target five key sectors: digital assets, technology and weapons, gold, airlines, and maritime shipping, while blacklisting nearly 60 individuals and entities across multiple countries, including China and Hong Kong. This action is part of an economic war that has dragged on for nearly six months, following air strikes and fruitless negotiations. The US has shifted its goal from curbing Iran's nuclear program to toppling the regime and vying for control of the Strait of Hormuz. The success of these measures depends on China, which bought oil from Iran worth $31 billion in 2025, accounting for nearly 45% of the Iranian government's revenue. While the UAE, once Iran's largest trading partner, has suspended trade with Iran, China continues to oppose unilateral sanctions, and the US has not directly penalized Chinese financial institutions. Experts note that Iran has grown accustomed to sanctions for over four decades, and these measures may be merely a political warning, as the US is concerned about the impact on the global financial system. Meanwhile, the Iranian public is suffering from basic goods prices as high as $30 per item, nearly a third of the minimum wage, and shipping costs have surged from $3,000 to $12,000 per container. However, the Iranian government remains defiant and threatens to attack oil tankers outside the Strait of Hormuz.

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