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Sanctions Threat Rejected
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed renewed US threats of new economic sanctions as a sign of “desperation” and said the expected measures would fail to defeat Tehran.
“Abbas Araghchi said that new US sanctions would not break Iran”
Araghchi said in a video posted on Telegram that “The fact that they (U.S. leaders) have abandoned military operations... and returned to old plans shows that they are desperate.”
The US Treasury secretary Scott Bessent, scheduled to hold a press conference at 2 pm EDT (1800 GMT) on Monday, threatened to impose “the toughest sanctions in history” on Iran.
Hindustan Times also said Iran’s economy is already under huge pressure from international sanctions and that thousands of people have been killed in airstrikes on the Islamic Republic since the US and Israel launched attacks on February 28.
Diplomacy Urged, Pressure Threatened
Araghchi called on Washington to engage in “respectful dialogue” and reach a “solution based on justice and honor,” while Reuters-cited reporting in vijesti.me said he urged the US to speak “respectfully” to find a “solution based on justice and honor.”
In the same Telegram video, Araghchi said, “We have never been afraid. All of their actions— whether blockades or other military moves they have made — have failed, and this new issue of theirs will fail as well,” as the Guardian reported.
The Guardian added that Mohsen Rezaei, the hardline leader of Iran’s supreme national security council, warned neighbours against joining what he called the “economic war” waged by the US and said they would be “considered an enemy” if they did.
The Guardian also quoted Rezaei saying, “we will target their interests,” and claimed Iran had “not yet attacked any American economic interests.”
Oil Transit and Mediation
Iran’s defiance is tied in the sources to shipping disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, with vijesti.me saying Tehran had “effectively shut down shipping through the Strait of Hormuz” by refusing to allow unauthorized oil tankers to pass.
“effectively shut down shipping through the Strait of Hormuz”
The Guardian said the strait was the conduit for one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies before the conflict and described ceasefire agreements signed in June that collapsed, leaving Iran in control of the strait.
As diplomatic efforts continue, PressTV reported that Pakistan is continuing efforts to mediate and that Iran said Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir would visit Tehran on Monday.
The Guardian also said the US treasury has for months been carrying out Operation Economic Fury and that a naval blockade in the strait of Hormuz has sought to block Iranian oil exports vital to keeping the country’s economy afloat.