{
  "id": 2283367,
  "title": "US vows toughest Iran sanctions, urges China support",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/us-vows-toughest-iran-sanctions-urges-china-support",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-21T01:13:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/us-vows-toughest-iran-sanctions-urges-china-support/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans for the \"toughest sanctions in history\" against Iran, aiming to bring down the Iranian government. He urged other nations, notably China, to support this initiative. Treasury Secretary Bessent hinted at potential actions such as an executive order from February that would impose 25% tariffs on countries dealing with Iran, as well as sanctions on entities involved in trade with Tehran. He emphasized that allies must choose sides, stating, \"You're either with us or you are against us.\" Bessent referenced past economic campaigns against countries like Cuba and Venezuela, likening the current strategy to economic warfare. When asked about the duration of the conflict with Iran, Bessent declined to provide an answer, indicating it could be indefinite. The objective remains clear: to ensure the \"economic collapse of the Iranian government.\" Iran's Foreign Ministry denounced the proposed sanctions, calling them \"illegal and inhumane.\" China has also criticized the U.S. move, expressing concern that additional sanctions will not resolve the existing disputes.",
  "summary": "US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC that Washington will impose the “toughest sanctions in history” to “collapse” the Iranian government, calling on other nations, including China, to join the effort. Details on the Trump administration’s next steps against Iran remain scarce, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent promising further information at a press conference on […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}