The Trump administration threatened "tremendous economic consequences" on any country doing business with Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expected to unveil new sanctions aimed at isolating Iran further. President Trump first announced the threat in a social media post, stating countries continuing business with Iran would face the "full might and force" of the U.S. government. Both officials described the measures as an "economic D-Day" for Iran.

Despite Iran's economy being in free fall, its security chief warned it would strike the interests of oil-rich neighbors if they joined isolation efforts. Key vulnerable countries include China, which has been Iran's largest trading partner and primary consumer of its oil, buying up to 90 percent of Iran's oil exports for years. Last year, China estimated bilateral trade with Iran at nearly $10 billion, excluding oil.

Experts note this trade is marginal to China's overall economy and easily swapped for other sources. India, once Iran's most important energy supplier, reduced ties due to U.S. sanctions, with bilateral trade falling from over $17 billion in 2018-19 to $1.63 billion in 2025-26. India stopped buying Iranian oil in 2019 under pressure from Trump but resumed purchases in April 2024 after a U.S. Treasury waiver.

Other vulnerable partners include the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Iraq, per the Bourse & Bazaar Foundation's CEO. The Chinese foreign ministry urged diplomatic resolution, stating sanctions and pressure would not solve the problem.