The US imposes sweeping sanctions on Iran and threatens secondary sanctions as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.

TechFlow reported on August 25 that, according to Jinshi data, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against nearly 60 Iran-linked entities, individuals, and vessels, spanning nuclear, missile, and oil networks. Treasury Secretary Bessent warned that any entity facilitating money laundering for Iran would be removed from the dollar system, and proposed potential secondary sanctions targeting the digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping sectors.

Regarding Middle East geopolitical tensions, the Israeli military claimed to have destroyed two Hamas weapons caches, while Houthi forces attacked Saudi troops and an oil tanker, warning of further escalation. Tensions remain high in the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. Central Command stating that 71 merchant ships have been rerouted, and one oil tanker was struck and caught fire west of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. A spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry emphasized that Tehran refuses to accept ceasefire conditions imposed by aggressors, and stated that it is fully prepared to counter America's economic offensive.