On August 24, the US Department of the Treasury officially released a new round of sweeping sanctions targeting Iran. The sanctions cover five major sectors: aviation, digital assets, gold, shipping and technology. More than 60 Iranian‑related entities, individuals and vessels were added to sanction lists. Multiple Iran‑related permits were suspended, including those for remittances and academic exchanges. The US Treasury Secretary stated that these sanctions aim to cut multiple economic lifelines for Iran and pressure its external economic and trade activities.

Iran’s official authorities responded that they have prepared contingency plans for sanctions. They warned that US punitive actions would trigger counter‑measures, with potential risks to shipping safety in the Strait of Hormuz. The strait carries a large volume of global seaborne crude‑oil trade. Any disruption to maritime transit would directly shock international crude‑oil supply. Following the sanction announcement, international crude‑oil prices swung noticeably. Global‑trade institutions are assessing potential risks for shipping insurance and cross‑border settlement.

Global commodity traders worry the sanctions will disturb petroleum trade across the Middle East and raise uncertainties for worldwide energy supply chains. Enterprises in multiple countries face a dilemma: they need to avoid risks of US secondary sanctions while sustaining original energy‑trade partnerships. Economists note that unilateral sanctions disrupt multilateral global‑trade rules and lift compliance costs for cross‑border business.

Market institutions remind audiences that sanction risks stemming from geopolitical tensions are short‑term variables. Market players will keep monitoring Iran’s counter‑measures and real‑world shipping conditions in the Middle East, to gauge knock‑on impacts on global energy prices and cross‑border commerce.