Iran has rejected the United States’ latest plan to intensify economic pressure on Tehran, questioning Washington’s claim that its military and nuclear capabilities have already been severely weakened.
The latest dispute comes after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the planned sanctions campaign as an “economic D-Day”, signalling a major escalation in Washington’s efforts to isolate Iran financially.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi challenged the US narrative, arguing that Washington’s decision to launch an even larger economic campaign appeared inconsistent with its claim that Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities had already been dismantled.
He questioned whether the new pressure campaign represented an American victory or instead demonstrated that the United States had failed to achieve its objectives through military action.
Bessent had earlier claimed that US actions had severely damaged Iran’s military capabilities, destroyed most of its military factories and buried its nuclear programme.
Iran Warns Other Countries Against Joining US Campaign
Tehran has also warned other countries against participating in Washington’s economic offensive.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said countries that joined the campaign would face consequences, as the United States seeks broader international cooperation to tighten restrictions on Iran.
US officials have reportedly encouraged allies and major economic powers, including China, to support the effort to further isolate Tehran.
Strait Of Hormuz Remains Major Flashpoint
The economic confrontation is also closely linked to the ongoing dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for global oil and gas shipments.
Iran has maintained control over the strategic waterway during the conflict, while Washington has made reopening the strait a major priority.
Tehran, however, has linked any reopening to demands including the lifting of US naval restrictions on Iranian ports, removal of oil sanctions and the unfreezing of Iranian assets held abroad.
The situation has raised concerns over potential disruption to global energy supplies if tensions around the waterway escalate further.
Tehran Maintains Ties With China
Despite increasing pressure from Washington, Iran continues to strengthen its relationship with China.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said ties between Tehran and Beijing had developed into deeper and more comprehensive relations, signalling Iran’s determination to maintain important international partnerships despite US sanctions.
Iran has faced American and international sanctions for decades, particularly since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
President Donald Trump has continued to pursue a “maximum pressure” strategy against Tehran, arguing that tougher economic measures can force Iran to change its policies.
Iran, however, maintains that sanctions have failed to achieve that objective and insists that economic pressure will not force the country to abandon its position.
