On August
24, 2026, the U.S. expanded sanctions under Executive Order 13902 to target
Iran's aviation, digital assets, gold, shipping, and technology sectors, while
hitting over 60 entities, individuals, and vessels linked to oil smuggling,
weapons, cyber operations, and missiles.
China responded swiftly, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stating that its cooperation with Iran follows international law and vowing to safeguard its rights, dismissing the sanctions as lacking UN Security Council basis.
Iran promised retaliation, and posts from Iranian accounts portrayed the moves as speeding up global efforts to reduce reliance on the dollar, amid U.S. pressure on world leaders to cut ties with Tehran.