US urges allies, China to join pressure on Iran's economy

The United States on Thursday called on its allies and the People’s Republic of China to join a coordinated effort to further isolate Iran’s economy, a move President Donald Trump said was intended to heighten pressure on Tehran as the regional conflict remains at an impasse and criticism of his administration’s Middle‑East strategy grows at home. The appeal was made during a press briefing by senior State Department officials, who emphasized that additional diplomatic and financial restrictions would complement the sanctions already imposed after the United States withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement.

Washington’s request targets a broad range of economic levers, including restrictions on Iranian oil exports, limits on access to the international banking system, and curbs on the procurement of dual‑use technologies. The United States has urged European Union members, Gulf Cooperation Council states and other long‑standing partners to synchronize their measures, while also seeking Chinese cooperation to prevent Tehran from circumventing sanctions through alternative trade routes. The push comes amid a stalemate in the ongoing war in the region—particularly the proxy confrontations in Syria and Iraq—where neither side has achieved decisive gains, and as domestic critics question the effectiveness of heightened sanctions in achieving U.S. policy goals.

By rallying a wider coalition, the Trump administration aims to tighten economic pressure on Iran in hopes of compelling a change in Tehran’s regional behavior and nuclear posture. Officials indicated that a unified front could limit Iran’s ability to fund militant groups and pursue its nuclear program, though analysts note that the ultimate impact will depend on the willingness of allies and China to adopt the proposed measures.