U.S. Squeezes Iran but Avoids Targeting Its Biggest Lifeline: China WSJ.com: World News By: Jon Emont · Rory Jones 25 August 2026 at 13:34 Washington’s fresh campaign to economically isolate Tehran stopped short of directly penalizing the country that has enabled Iran to withstand years of American pressure. © Hector Retamal/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images