Iran warns of harsh response to growing US pressure
US warned countries to cut business ties with Iran or risk secondary sanctions
The Middle East war enters another tense day after the US warned countries to cut business ties with Iran or risk secondary sanctions, although Washington stopped short of immediately imposing the threatened penalties. Iran warned of a “harsh” response to expanded US economic pressure, while China said further sanctions could escalate tensions. Meanwhile, Iran blacklisted 45 tankers for allegedly breaking its Strait of Hormuz transit rules, threatening fines, detention or cargo confiscation. In Gaza, Israeli strikes killed at least four Palestinians on Monday, including two children, according to hospital officials. Israeli and Syrian officials also held US-mediated talks in Jordan aimed at easing tensions.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday told Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir that the United States must change its approach toward Iran, warning that "coercion and bullying" would complicate diplomatic processes, according to the official website of the Iranian President.
Pezeshkian, while meeting Munir, expressed hope that continued joint determination and cooperation would help achieve the goals set out in the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Emphasising the need for the United States to adhere to its commitments to Iran based on international law and standards, Pezeshkian said, "The United States must correct its tone and approach in its interactions with Iran, because relying on coercion and bullying will only complicate the implementation processes."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised US President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent over the latest sanctions against Iran, saying they "justly exact a steep price" from Tehran and those supporting its actions.
The Strait of Hormuz has been the main focus of the six-month war between Iran and the US and Israel, with many commercial vessels targeted in the vital conduit for oil and gas shipments.
In total, 68 incidents have been confirmed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in the Gulf and neighbouring bodies of water, the equivalent of one every 2.6 days.
Across all incidents, at least 20 seafarers or port workers were reported killed, 35 wounded and one missing, the UN maritime agency said.
About half of the incidents have involved tankers, 20 per cent container ships and 15 per cent bulk carriers.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) classified 47 of the incidents as attacks.
Liberia-flagged vessels have been most affected, being involved in 13 incidents, followed by 10 vessels each from Panama and the Marshall Islands.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday laid out plans for the "economic asphyxiation" of Iran, expanding Washington's secondary sanctions threats and warning of dire consequences for countries that do not join the campaign.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (MTO) reported (via advisory/warning, referenced as Warning 120-26 in related posts) that an oil tanker was struck by an unidentified/unknown projectile about 9 nautical miles northeast of Ash Shishah, Oman.
The impact damaged the engine room, disabling the vessel reportedly transiting the US-protected lane. The crew was reported safe; environmental impact was not immediately known.
This fits a pattern of multiple projectile strikes on commercial vessels (especially tankers) off Oman near the Strait of Hormuz / Musandam area throughout 2026 amid US-Iran hostilities. UKMTO has issued repeated warnings of such incidents.
Day 160: Tehran reshuffles military
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