Iran’s foreign minister has rejected the prospect of fresh US sanctions, portraying the threatened measures as evidence of Washington’s desperation and insisting they will not force Tehran to surrender.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is due to hold a press conference at 2pm EDT (7pm Irish time) tomorrow, where he has threatened to announce “the toughest sanctions in history” against Iran.
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The warning comes as Iran’s economy struggles under the weight of international restrictions. Its infrastructure has suffered repeated attacks, while thousands of people have been killed in airstrikes on the Islamic Republic since the US and Israel began their campaign on 28 February.
Yet after nearly six months of war, Tehran is continuing to resist. Iran has brought shipping in the Strait of Hormuz close to a standstill, blocking unauthorised oil tankers from using the waterway, a crucial route for global energy supplies.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf attended a meeting with Iraqi representatives
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi described the latest threats as part of a series of “repetitive scenarios” in a video posted on Telegram.
“The fact that they (US leaders) have moved on from military operations… to bring up the same old plans shows that they are desperate,” he said.
Mr Araqchi called on Washington to engage with Iran respectfully and pursue “a solution based on justice and honour.”
“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,” he said.
US President Donald Trump has threatened economic consequences for any country providing “any type of lifeline to Iran”. Mr Bessent has also urged China to cooperate with Washington, with 2025 data from analytics firm Kpler showing that China buys more than 80% of Iran’s shipped oil.
China has called for diplomacy.
Pakistan’s army chief to visit Tehran
Iran said Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, would travel to Tehran tomorrow as part of efforts to restore peace and security across the region, although it provided few details about the visit.
Pakistan has been mediating in the conflict. A Pakistani government source said Mr Munir was expected to discuss recent developments, including the US threat to impose new sanctions.
Mr Trump said on Friday that Washington was watching “what happens” in the conflict.
“They would love to make a deal, but they’re not ready to make the right deal, in my opinion,” he said of Iran.
Ships anchored in the Strait of Hormuz
US attacks have inflicted severe damage on Iran’s economy and devastated its navy and air force. Tehran, however, still possesses enough missile and drone capability to disrupt oil tanker traffic and strike regional rivals.
Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said yesterday that Tehran had received “numerous messages” from neighbouring countries about creating new regional security arrangements and expanding economic cooperation.
Mr Qalibaf did not identify the countries involved.
He accused the US of putting the security of its regional allies at risk in order to serve Israel’s interests. An independent, “homegrown” regional order, he said, would provide a path towards peace and security.
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Mr Trump has yet to achieve goals he outlined at the beginning of the war, including dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme. The condition of that programme remains unclear because UN inspectors have been denied access since 2025.
He has also failed to create conditions that would lead Iranians to overthrow the country’s clerical rulers.
While Tehran continues to project defiance, President Masoud Pezeshkian has likewise argued for a diplomatic settlement.
“It would be better to end the war today, when we are powerful and have dignity, and the whole world acknowledges our victory and emphasizes that America, contrary to all regulations, attacked our schools, hospitals, and infrastructure and is hated in the world,” the ISNA news agency quoted him as saying on Friday.
