US sanctions on Iran: existing measures and new pressure

The United States is preparing to announce new sanctions against Iran, which the Trump administration describes as the "single greatest financial offensive ever marshalled against an adversary." This action comes on top of an already extensive sanctions regime that has been built up over decades. Iran already faces punitive measures from the US, EU, UK, Canada, and Australia, covering its banking, oil, shipping, aviation, and military sectors. UN sanctions on nuclear and missile activities were reimposed in September 2025, and the UAE recently halted all trade with Iran. These measures also target human rights abuses, protest repression, and cyber-attacks. To counter these restrictions, Tehran uses front companies, exchange houses, and alternative financial channels, with China remaining a major oil buyer. The US is now focusing on enforcement, including sanctions on shadow fleet vessels and a naval blockade of Iranian ports.