The United States intensified economic pressure on Iran by sanctioning Egypt’s Banque Misr over business with Tehran and proposing restrictions on dollar transactions through its United Arab Emirates branches. The action alarmed leaders in Cairo and followed speculation that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s promised major sanctions could target Chinese financial institutions. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said exports and imports had fallen nearly 35% because of U.S. sanctions and a naval blockade, while annual inflation reached 66%. The measures came six months into the U.S.-Iran war as diplomatic efforts remained uncertain and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz stayed below recent averages.