US sanctions target Iran's gold, tech, and aviation sectors

The United States announced new sanctions targeting Iran's gold, technology, digital assets, aviation, and maritime sectors to pressure the regime, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warning of "total isolation" or a return to normalcy. Bessent stated countries not joining the sanctions would "share Iran's isolation," and those facilitating money laundering for Iran would be "expelled from the dollar system." He emphasized no nation is beyond Washington's reach, marking "economic asphyxiation" of the regime. China, a key Iranian partner, criticized the move, saying sanctions won't resolve Middle East conflicts. Tehran warned of "consequences" for participating nations, calling the measures an "admission of defeat" by Washington.