Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi today dismissed renewed US threats of economic sanctions against Tehran, describing them as a recurring tactic and saying Washington has no choice but to engage with the Iranian people respectfully.
According to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, Mr Araghchi said the US resort to economic pressure reflected desperation after what he described as the failure of previous measures.
His remarks came after US President Donald Trump announced what he called an “Economic D-Day” campaign against Iran, describing it as the most severe economic operation ever imposed on a country and urging US allies to join Washington in isolating Tehran.
President Trump said the measures would target Iran’s key economic lifelines, including oil-smuggling networks, financial transfers, exchange houses, ship registries and front companies.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, also warned neighbouring countries against joining the US economic campaign.
He said Iran was not seeking escalation but warned that Tehran would regard neighbouring countries as enemies if they supported Washington’s pressure campaign.
He warned that Iran could take measures affecting oil exports through the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz if regional countries joined the US campaign against Tehran.