US vows toughest-ever Iran sanctions, presses China to help reopen Hormuz

The United States is preparing what treasury secretary Scott Bessent described as the “toughest sanctions in history” against Iran, as Washington seeks to intensify economic pressure on Tehran and force the country towards a settlement.Bessent said the measures would form part of a broader campaign of economic isolation and suggested they could help Washington avoid a renewed large-scale military operation. He also called on China, Iran’s biggest oil customer, to cooperate with the US in efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.China, however, rejected the approach, saying sanctions and pressure would not help resolve the conflict and urging the parties to pursue political and diplomatic solutions.Bessent promises ‘one-two punch’ against IranSpeaking to CNBC on Thursday, Bessent said Washington would combine its existing blockade with sweeping new sanctions.“It is a one-two punch.