US announces new sanctions on Iran, Tehran responds — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Trump administration has announced new sanctions on Iran and urged US allies to support the measures. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington was imposing new sanctions aimed at cutting off financial support for the Iranian government, Al Jazeera reported. According to US officials, the sanctions will target five key sectors — digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping — in addition to oil revenues. The measures will also target 60 entities, vessels and individuals accused of supporting Iran’s government. Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani responded to the announcement by saying that Iran’s president and leadership would guide the country through the “economic hardships.” Meanwhile, Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, warned that Tehran could halt all oil exports from the Gulf if the US continues its “economic war.” Rezaei also warned that any country supporting Washington’s sanctions would be considered to have committed an “act of war” against Iran. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, meanwhile, said Washington had not ruled out military action against Iran, including in the Strait of Hormuz. Hegseth told reporters that the US was not ruling out “kinetic strikes” against targets anywhere in the region.