Iran rejects US economic pressure as president calls for war to end ‘from a position of power’

TEHRAN, Aug 21 - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on Friday that it was time to bring an end to the ongoing Middle East war with the United States, asserting that Iran now holds a strong position over Washington. The two countries, embroiled in a conflict that began in February under the leadership of the US and Israel, are currently at a stalemate.

Tehran continues to partially block the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington maintains a naval blockade of Iran. Pezeshkian emphasized during a meeting with doctors that the world recognizes Iran's victory, highlighting America's aggression against Iranian schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, which has earned Iran global condemnation.

This statement followed Iran's foreign ministry accusing the United States of committing "economic terrorism" and "crimes against humanity" after Washington announced plans to increase sanctions to intensify the pressure on Tehran. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticized the US economic plan, stating it was a "diversion from America's own crisis" and pointing out the nation's "unprecedented debt and surging interest costs".

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent vowed that Washington would "collapse" the Iranian regime with the economic pressure campaign, which has been ongoing for nearly six months since the war started. However, China criticized the US economic measures, asserting that they would not resolve the Middle East conflict and called for responsible measures to address the issue through political and diplomatic means.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit the White House on September 24, where the Iran issue is expected to be discussed.