Iran condemns Trump's 'economic warfare' as China warns on sanctions
Aug 21, 2026
Tehran [Iran] / Beijing [China], August 21: Iran and China have pushed back against US President Donald Trump's announcement of an unprecedented campaign of "economic warfare and isolation" against Tehran, with Beijing warning against further sanctions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Trump's announcement was intended to distract from problems at home in the United States, pointing to the country's historically high debt.
"Doubling down on failed policies will only bring further defeat and enmity of Iranians. US economic terrorism threatens the global economy and sovereignty worldwide," Araghchi wrote on X.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman meanwhile said that "sanctions and pressure do not help solve the problem," calling for a political and diplomatic solution.
Amid a lack of progress in negotiations with Tehran, Trump announced what he called "the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY!" on Truth Social on Wednesday.
"This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale," Trump wrote, also threatening countries that continue to economically support Iran.
He did not specify what measures Washington planned to impose.
If Trump follows through, China could be particularly affected. It is Iran's largest trading partner and the main buyer of its oil exports.
Iran is already subject to extensive international sanctions but has developed a sophisticated system for circumventing the restrictions.
Its economy has nevertheless been under severe pressure for years, with the population struggling with sharply rising inflation.
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, has said the US has been "begging" its allies for help.
"They claim Iran is on the verge of defeat, hanging by a thread, yet they are begging all their allies to help them!" he posted on X after Trump threatened "economic D-Day" on any countries that help or do business with Iran.
Gharibabadi accused the US of failing after figures showed the US public debt has surpassed $40 trillion for the first time.
Source: Qatar Tribune
