Iran’s foreign minister said on Sunday that fresh U.S. sanctions threatened against Tehran would fail, accusing Washington of resorting to "desperate" tactics after shifting from military action to economic pressure.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, speaking in a video posted on Telegram, dismissed the latest threats as part of a pattern of repetitive scenarios. He argued that U.S. leaders had moved from direct military operations to recycled plans because they lacked viable alternatives. "The fact that they have moved from military operations to bringing up the same old plans shows they are desperate," Araqchi stated.
Araqchi called on Washington to engage in dialogue with Iran on terms of "justice and honor," warning that coercive measures would not succeed. "We have never been afraid," he said. "All their actions—whether blockades or other military measures—have failed, and this new initiative of theirs will also fail."
The remarks follow a pledge by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to impose "the harshest sanctions in history" on Iran. President Donald Trump separately warned that any country providing "any kind of vital support" to Tehran would face economic consequences. The threats come amid a prolonged conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on February 28, which have devastated Iran’s infrastructure and killed thousands of people.
Despite six months of warfare, Iran has maintained its defiance, effectively paralyzing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz by blocking unauthorized tankers. The disruption has driven up global oil prices, compounding pressure on an economy already strained by international sanctions. According to 2025 data from analysis firm Kpler, China now accounts for 80% of Iran’s petroleum exports.
The U.S. has framed its sanctions strategy as a response to Iran’s regional activities and nuclear program, though Tehran denies pursuing nuclear weapons. The latest threats signal an intensification of economic warfare following the failure of military strikes to curb Iran’s regional influence or domestic resilience.
