US threatens toughest sanctions yet against Iran: What we know

With diplomacy stalled over ending the war on Iran, Washington is seeking to ratchet up pressure on Tehran with “unprecedented” economic pressure.After United States President Donald Trump threatened to punish any country doing business with Tehran last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that a new series of economic measures will “collapse” the Iranian government, calling on countries to join the effort.On Saturday, Tehran threatened to retaliate against any country that joins the US in economic sanctions against it.Here’s what we know about what the US is planning and how Iran could respond.What new measures is the US threatening against Iran?The Trump administration has already been waging an economic pressure campaign against Iran under the banner of “Operation Economic Fury”, since the launch of the war in February.In particular, it is currently running a naval blockade on Iranian ports in a bid to prevent oil exports and has targeted companies, brokers and tankers accused of helping Iran sell its oil abroad.It also has longer standing sweeping sanctions in place on Iran’s oil, shipping and financial sectors, seeking to cut off the revenue Tehran earns from energy ...