Iran warns of consequences for countries backing US sanctions

Iran warned Monday of "consequences" for countries joining the US economic pressure campaign, calling the measures an admission of defeat by Washington. The warning came ahead of expected US announcements to further isolate Iran's economy. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced an offensive to cut Iran's remaining economic "lifelines," warning countries supporting Tehran they face US isolation. He described it as the "greatest financial offensive ever mobilized against an adversary." China criticized the sanctions, while the UAE suspended all trade and financial transactions with Iran. Iran's foreign minister said relations with China had "taken on deeper, more structural and comprehensive dimensions." The US campaign comes nearly six months after the war began with an Israeli-American attack on Iran.