Iran condemns looming US sanctions as Hormuz standoff deepens

Iran has vehemently denounced impending US economic sanctions that are set to be announced on Monday, while warning of possible retaliation against nations that engage in the pressure campaign. Tensions between the two nations have deepened as Washington and Tehran remain unresponsive to negotiations, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has called for an end to the war, but talks have not materialized. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated that the planned sanctions represent an attempt by Washington to exert control over independent nations, arguing that secondary sanctions lack any basis in international law.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to unveil the punitive measures on Monday, following a promise of the most stringent sanctions in history. US President Donald Trump has also cautioned countries against assisting Iran, particularly pressuring China, which imports over 80 percent of Iran's oil via the Strait of Hormuz.

The pressure is already manifesting in Iran, with the central bank governor revealing that oil exports have effectively ceased and foreign currency access has become increasingly constrained. Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei cautioned that cooperating with the US would be viewed as an act of hostility, potentially leading to blocked oil exports throughout the Gulf.

He also threatened to close the strait if Washington persists on its course, maintaining that Tehran is responsible for managing the waterway. Meanwhile, Pakistan attempted to revive diplomatic efforts, with the Iraqi President facilitating talks between Iran and the US by permitting Iraqi oil tankers to traverse the strait. However, the negotiating atmosphere remains tense, with Washington signaling further economic sanctions after the 60-day window for reaching an agreement expired on Monday.

Iran's President has adopted a contrasting stance from Iran's security apparatus, advocating for an immediate cessation of hostilities while recognizing their recent victory. The sanctions could exacerbate Iran's economic woes, already strained by months of conflict, and pose a significant challenge to Gulf states relying on the Strait of Hormuz as a primary maritime route for energy exports.