Middle East Crisis Iran War

China Defies US New Iran Strategy: “Must Not Be Disrupted”

China is hitting back at the US’s new sanctions campaign against Iran, saying that the country’s economic relationship with Iran must not be “disrupted or undermined,” Bloomberg reports. The statement comes just hours after the Trump administration imposed new sanctions on Chinese companies and threatened to take action against a major financial institution for its ties to Iran.

According to Bloomberg, the conflict risks deepening the contradictions between the world’s two largest economies. At the same time, the Wall Street Journal notes that the US’s new strategy “Operation Economic Outcast” is formally aimed at Iran, even though the initial measures include Chinese companies.

Sources: Gabbard Warned Trump Before the War

The then US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard warned Donald Trump about how Iran would react if Ali Khamenei, who was then the country’s supreme leader, was killed. This is according to sources for the Wall Street Journal.

Days before the war began, she said it would likely lead to a more hard-line regime, and that the Strait of Hormuz would be closed. She also said that Iran would likely attack US allies in the Middle East, and that it could have effects on how the US is viewed as an ally.

The war began a couple of days later and has been going on for six months.

Gabbard left her post this spring.

Analysis: Why didn't Donald Trump do this before he bombed Iran?

The fact that the US is now introducing strong economic measures with the aim of isolating Iran is a sign that Donald Trump and his administration have lost patience. That's what Sky News correspondent Mark Stone says. He believes that the US's warfare has not had the desired effect.

- They are well aware that they are in a difficult position militarily and that they cannot get out of this conflict.

There is no doubt that the US economic offensive will hit Iran hard, according to SVT's Middle East correspondent Samir Abu Eid. However, the measures will not lead to the fall of the regime, he predicts.

Iran has learned over several decades to live with harsh US sanctions.

- Iran's response will primarily be to keep the strategically important Strait of Hormuz closed and in this way try to pressure the US to the negotiating table, says Samir Abu Eid.

The US's actions raise many questions, says David E Sanger in the New York Times. He mainly wonders why Trump did not introduce these measures before attacking Iran.

"President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are resorting to another strategy to tentatively try to get out of a failed military adventure," he writes.