The conflict between the United States and Iran has reached a stalemate of "no war, no peace". The United States is trying to use economic pressure to force Iran to make concessions. According to Reuters report on August 30th, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Beldest threatened that the U.S. Treasury might announce new "secondary sanctions" measures every week, aiming to increase economic pressure on Iran.
On the 28th, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on the UAE branch of the Egyptian Bank (Banque Misr), citing the bank's suspected "financial ties with Iran." Besent said: "You will see more such cases every week. We will start by telling banks that it is not allowed to hold Iranian funds or provide assistance to Iran."
Bessenant said that at the G20 Finance Ministers’ Meeting scheduled to take place from August 31 to September 1 local time, he intends to convey an important message to the finance ministers and central bank governors of the participating countries: “Cut off economic ties with Iran, or face secondary sanctions.” He stated that the United States may next target those who “completely exclude themselves from the dollar-based financial system.”
US Treasury Secretary Ben Sassen's IC photo
Besent had previously threatened to impose “secondary sanctions” on countries that trade with Iran. In an interview, he also publicly called on China to follow the plan and cooperate with the US in implementing what he described as “the most severe economic measures in history” against Iran, with the aim of further isolating the Iranian economy and “disintegrating that regime”.
When asked whether the new sanctions involve China, Besent refused to provide specific details, saying that “many conversations are better carried out privately.” However, he explicitly requested China to provide the so-called “cooperation.”
Regarding Besson's remarks, Lin Jian, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded on the 24th that sanctions and pressure do not help solve the problem. Instead, they only intensify tensions and escalate the situation, and do not serve the interests of either party.
Lin Jian stated that China calls on all parties to maintain rationality and restraint, to avoid taking measures that could further escalate conflicts and undermine global economic development and financial stability. It is important to return to the correct path of dialogue, negotiation, and political resolution as soon as possible. China will closely monitor any related developments and take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
