The United States has announced plans to broaden economic sanctions against Iran and its trading partners, including China, in an attempt to isolate nations doing business with Tehran. This move comes after the US Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, declared that any nation financially partnering with Iran would face isolation. China, the largest buyer of Iranian oil, has vowed to protect its interests and safeguard its rights in response to these sanctions, asserting that cooperation between the two nations is legal and should not be interfered with. US President Joe Biden is expected to discuss this issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping next month, as tensions between the two superpowers rise. The new sanctions, dubbed "Operation Economic Outcast" by the US, aim to end Iran's economic threat and have already imposed sanctions on nearly 60 entities, individuals, and vessels. However, analysts question the effectiveness of these measures, with some suggesting that their direct impact on Iran's energy revenues will be minimal due to China's continued business ties with Tehran. The escalating tensions come almost six months after the start of the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, which has led to increases in global oil prices and disruptions in the strategic Strait of Hormuz waterway. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have so far failed, with a 60-day ceasefire expiring recently without a settlement in sight.