China Rejects Trump Administration’s Economic Pressure on Iran; Russia Warns Washington Is on the Wrong Path
-
August 21, 2026 | Tehran, Iran | The Global Journal
China has rejected the Trump administration’s latest initiative to increase economic pressure on Iran, while Russia has warned that Washington is pursuing the wrong approach in dealing with Tehran. The developments were reported by Iran’s Tehran Times.
U.S. President Donald Trump has described his plan for unprecedented economic pressure and international isolation of Iran as an “economic D-Day.” Washington says the campaign is aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran and pushing for changes in Iranian policy, while also seeking to ensure freedom of navigation through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Threat of sanctions against foreign countries and companies
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned in an interview with CNBC that Washington could impose secondary sanctions on foreign countries and companies that maintain commercial ties with Iran.
He specifically urged major Iranian trading partners, including China and India, to reconsider their positions. According to Bessent, countries and companies that continue doing business with Iran could face pressure from the U.S. financial system.
‘Economic D-Day’ is diverting attention from U.S. crisis: Araghchi
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi strongly criticized the U.S. initiative. In a post on X, he described the so-called “economic D-Day” as an attempt to divert attention from America’s own economic crisis.
Araghchi pointed to the United States’ substantial debt and rising interest costs, arguing that intensifying what he described as failed policies could create further problems for Washington.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also criticized the U.S. strategy, saying Washington was turning to economic pressure after failing to achieve its expected objectives through military confrontation.
‘Sanctions and pressure are not the solution’: China
Beijing has opposed Washington’s latest economic pressure campaign. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said sanctions and pressure cannot resolve the crisis.
He called on all parties to act responsibly and pursue a political and diplomatic solution. China also reiterated its opposition to unilateral sanctions imposed without authorization from the UN Security Council.
‘The U.S. has chosen the wrong path’: Russia
Russia’s Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, also criticized Washington’s strategy. He noted that Iran has lived under U.S. sanctions for decades and demonstrated during Trump’s first term that it could withstand the policy of “maximum pressure.”
According to Ulyanov, positive results in the region require honest and effective diplomacy rather than continued pressure.
The positions expressed by China and Russia highlight growing differences among major powers over Washington’s strategy toward Iran. Meanwhile, the United States is moving toward further sanctions and economic restrictions against Tehran.
