WEB DESK: The United States has announced a new round of sanctions against Iran, targeting five key sectors as Washington intensifies economic pressure on Tehran and seeks to restrict its international trade and financial links.

According to the US Treasury Department, the latest measures target digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and maritime shipping, with possible secondary sanctions against businesses and countries that continue to conduct transactions with Iran.

The Treasury Department also announced the suspension of certain licences allowing the transfer of funds to Iran.

Around 60 Iran-linked entities, individuals and vessels have been targeted under the new measures. Brokerage companies based in the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Europe are also among those affected.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said President Donald Trump was contacting world leaders to push for an end to economic relations with Iran.

Bessent said countries had been given deadlines to stop trading with Iran and warned that those failing to comply could face unilateral action by the US Treasury Department.

He also said countries had been given deadlines to close branches of Iranian banks operating within their territories.

The US Treasury secretary warned that no country, including China, would be beyond the reach of American sanctions.

The latest measures represent another escalation in Washington’s campaign to isolate Iran economically and place additional pressure on Tehran’s financial, commercial and international trade networks.