Iran has denounced planned U.S. sanctions that could further damage its economy and affect major trading partners including China, which buys more than 80% of Iran’s shipped oil, according to 2025 Kpler data. The warning comes nearly six months after the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on February 28. Although active fighting between the sides has stopped, there is no clear sign of peace talks. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely restricted, with only four commodity ships using the waterway on Thursday and no large crude carriers or liquefied natural gas tankers among them. Iran has allowed some Iraqi oil tankers to pass with special permission. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is due to announce what he called the toughest sanctions in history on Monday, while Iran warns it may target the interests of countries helping Washington. The conflict has weakened Iran’s economy and military, but Tehran retains missile and drone capabilities. U.S. war aims, including dismantling Iran’s nuclear program and creating conditions for the overthrow of its clerical rulers, remain unmet or uncertain, while President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for a diplomatic solution.