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Araghchi mocks sanctions
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi dismissed renewed US threats of economic sanctions as a recurring tactic, telling IRIB that Washington has “no choice but to speak respectfully to the Iranian people.”
“no choice but to speak respectfully to the Iranian people”
Speaking on the sidelines of a ceremony in Tehran on Sunday, Araghchi said the “economic operation” Trump claims is “the same old bullying in American politics,” and that Iran is fully prepared to counter it.
Araghchi’s remarks came after Trump announced what he called an “Economic D-Day” campaign against Iran, described as “the most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country.”
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref also rejected the latest economic pressure campaign, saying in a post on X that the government would not allow US “economic terrorism” to undermine “the economic stability and livelihoods of the people.”
Bessent, blockade, oil
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is due to hold a press conference at 2 pm EDT (1800 GMT) on Monday, where he is expected to outline sanctions described as “the toughest sanctions in history.”
Hindustan Times reports that 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.
The sources also tie Iran’s defiance to shipping pressure, with vijesti.me saying Tehran has “effectively shut down shipping through the Strait of Hormuz” by refusing to allow unauthorized oil tankers to pass.
In response to the sanctions threat, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a video posted on Telegram that “We have never been afraid,” adding that “All their actions – whether blockades or other military moves they have taken – have failed.”
Regional mediation and stakes
As Iran rejects the sanctions threat, Pakistan is continuing efforts to mediate between Iran and the United States, with a Pakistani government source saying Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir would visit Tehran on Monday to review developments including the US threat of new sanctions.
“Pakistan is continuing efforts to mediate between Iran and the United States”
PressTV reports that Araghchi warned Iran would regard neighbouring countries as enemies if they supported Washington’s pressure campaign, and said Tehran could take measures affecting oil exports through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
The Guardian adds that Mohsen Rezaei told state television Iran would target oil-shipping routes out of the Gulf if neighbours joined what he called the “economic war,” and said those neighbours would be “considered an enemy” and “we will target their interests.”
DW’s Iran coverage also points to domestic stakes beyond sanctions, reporting that Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Pakanirojad said a new gas field in southern Fars province has reserves of more than 7.5 trillion cubic feet and that extracted gas from the field is about 212.4 billion cubic meters.