WASHINGTON D.C AUg 21, 2026 — The United States is pressing China to join a new campaign of maximum economic pressure on Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent calling on Beijing to “get with the programme” as Washington prepares what it describes as the toughest sanctions in history.
Bessent made the comments on Thursday in an interview with CNBC, framing the measures as a “one-two punch” alongside an existing U.S. naval blockade of Iran. The goal, he said, is to isolate Tehran economically and ultimately “collapse this regime.” He added that allies and other countries face a clear choice: “You are either with us or against us.”
The push comes after President Donald Trump warned of a “most crushing economic operation” against any country providing Iran with a financial or commercial lifeline. Details of the new sanctions package are expected to be announced at a press conference on Monday.
China, Iran’s largest oil customer and a major buyer of crude from the Gulf region, quickly rejected the approach. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington stated that “sanctions and pressure do not help resolve the problem” and urged all parties to pursue a political and diplomatic solution. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian reiterated the position on Friday, opposing unilateral sanctions not authorized by the UN Security Council.
Bessent noted China’s heavy reliance on energy supplies from the Gulf, saying it would serve Beijing’s own interests to support efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and stabilize oil prices. He declined to discuss publicly whether the United States would target Chinese entities that continue dealing with Iran, saying some conversations are best held in private. Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Washington in September, where the Iran issue is expected to feature.
The latest escalation follows nearly six months of conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Washington has shifted emphasis toward economic isolation in an attempt to avoid a large-scale return to military operations while maintaining pressure on Tehran.
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