US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: The 60-day US-Iran MoU expires today, with Washington and Tehran still divided over how to end the war and restart meaningful negotiations. The deadline comes as US President Donald Trump signals tougher economic action against Iran, while Tehran has yet to decide whether it will return to talks.Â
The Trump administration now faces several options to increase pressure on Tehran, ranging from new sanctions on Iran’s oil trade and financial networks to penalties against Chinese companies and banks that continue doing business with Iran.
More aggressive proposals, including a possible land blockade and secondary tariffs on countries trading with Tehran, also remain under discussion.Â
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Iran 60-Day Deal Expires Today
The 60-day memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran expires today after failing to produce a lasting diplomatic breakthrough.
The agreement emerged from talks hosted by Pakistan in June and was intended to provide a framework for reducing hostilities and moving the two sides towards broader negotiations. However, Washington and Tehran have since accused each other of failing to meet commitments under the arrangement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Saturday that Tehran had not decided whether to resume negotiations with Washington. “We have not yet made a decision to restart negotiations with the United States,” Araghchi said in a post on Telegram.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: What Options Are Trump Left With?
Trump has already warned that Iran could face significantly tougher economic pressure after the deal expires. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has also signalled that Washington could announce measures against Tehran that have “never been seen.”
The administration has several possible routes. It can target Iran’s oil exports, financial institutions and companies that help Tehran bypass sanctions. Washington can also increase pressure on foreign businesses that continue purchasing Iranian crude.
Another option would involve targeting Chinese banks and refineries that handle Iranian oil. More aggressive proposals include restricting Iran’s land trade routes or imposing tariffs on countries that continue supporting Tehran’s economy.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Sanctions on Chinese ‘Teapot’ Refineries
Chinese independent refineries, widely known as “teapots”, could become a major target of a new US sanctions campaign. China remains the most important market for Iranian crude despite Washington’s sanctions. Independent Chinese refineries handle a significant portion of the country’s Iranian oil purchases.
The US could impose secondary sanctions on these businesses, threatening companies that continue dealing with Iran with restrictions on their access to the American financial system.
Washington has already used this strategy against Chinese refiners involved in Iranian oil purchases. Further sanctions could make it more difficult for Tehran to sell crude and collect revenue.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Target Chinese Banks Handling Iranian Money
Washington could also target Chinese banks that help process money linked to Iranian oil sales. The US Treasury has previously sanctioned smaller banks and companies in China and Hong Kong over transactions connected to Iranian oil and weapons procurement.
Targeting larger banks would represent a much more serious escalation. Such sanctions could make other financial institutions reluctant to process Iranian transactions, limiting Tehran’s ability to convert oil revenues and conduct international trade.
But the move could trigger a strong response from Beijing. Major sanctions against Chinese banks could affect broader US-China economic relations and create complications for the Trump administration’s efforts to negotiate with Beijing on trade and other issues.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Expand Sanctions on Iran’s Oil & Financial Networks
Trump could also expand the existing sanctions campaign against Iranian oil and financial networks. The US has already targeted a large number of Iranian individuals, companies, vessels and intermediaries involved in oil exports, shipping and weapons procurement.
The administration could now focus on businesses that help Tehran move oil revenues, exchange currencies or bypass restrictions through third countries. Washington could also increase enforcement against shipping companies, insurers and traders linked to Iranian crude.
The strategy would aim to reduce Iran’s access to foreign currency and limit the money available to finance its military activities.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Land Blockade Around Iran?
A land blockade would represent a far more aggressive approach but would also be extremely difficult to implement.
Iran shares land borders with Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Any effort to restrict Iranian overland trade would therefore require cooperation from several neighbouring countries.
Washington has different levels of influence with these countries, but convincing them to participate in a coordinated blockade would be difficult. A land blockade could also create serious humanitarian consequences by restricting Iran’s access to food, medicine, fuel and other essential goods.
The measure could increase economic pressure on Tehran, but it could also strengthen Iranian opposition to Washington and worsen the humanitarian situation.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Impose Secondary Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran
Trump could also use tariffs to pressure countries that continue trading with Iran. The administration has previously threatened countries that support Tehran’s oil trade and other economic activities. Secondary tariffs could increase the cost of maintaining commercial ties with Iran.
Congress is also considering legislation that could provide the White House with additional powers to penalise countries supporting Iranian trade and weapons procurement.
If such measures become law, Washington could use tariffs alongside sanctions to pressure foreign governments and companies into reducing their dealings with Tehran. However, tariffs could also trigger retaliation and disrupt trade with countries that have no direct role in the US-Iran conflict.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Strait of Hormuz Remains Trump’s Biggest Pressure Point
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important pressure points in the US-Iran confrontation. The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and serves as a crucial route for global energy shipments. Any prolonged disruption could affect crude supplies and push oil prices higher.
The Trump administration has already increased pressure around the waterway, while Iran continues to use its strategic position as leverage in the conflict. The situation has kept energy traders focused on developments between Washington and Tehran.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: What’s Next After the Iran Deal Expires?
The immediate question is whether Washington and Tehran will return to negotiations or move into a tougher phase of economic and military confrontation.
Iran has not committed to restarting talks, while Trump has threatened stronger action if Tehran refuses to meet US demands.
Washington could begin by expanding sanctions against Iranian oil and financial networks and then increase pressure on foreign companies and banks that continue doing business with Tehran.
The US could also intensify pressure around the Strait of Hormuz, keeping global energy markets vulnerable to further disruption. For Iran, the end of the agreement removes another temporary diplomatic framework without resolving the central disputes between the two countries.
