Iran condemns US plans to announce new sanctions

Iran has strongly rebuked U.S. plans to impose new sanctions, claiming they represent an assertion of extraterritorial sovereignty over all UN member states. The U.S. Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, is scheduled to announce the toughest sanctions in history on Iran in a press conference on Monday. Bessent has also called on China, which imports over 80% of Iran's oil, to cooperate with Washington.

China has urged diplomacy. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, labeled the impending sanctions illegal, stating they have no basis in international law. Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary, Mohsen Rezaei, warned nearby countries against engaging with the U.S. economic war, threatening to consider them enemies.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of economic consequences against any country aiding Iran. Despite the economic impact of the U.S. blockade, Iran maintains sufficient missile and drone capacity to disrupt oil tanker traffic and target regional rivals.