Iran says new sanctions threatened by ‘desperate’ US will fail

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the prospect of new US sanctions as a sign of desperation on Sunday, predicting they would fail to achieve their intended goal. The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, threatened to impose the toughest sanctions in history on Iran as part of escalating tensions following military attacks on Iran since February 28.

Despite significant economic pressure from international sanctions, Iran's infrastructure has been targeted repeatedly, and thousands have been killed in airstrikes since the conflict began. Tehran's defiance has impacted global oil prices due to a virtual blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's economy is already under severe strain, and its navy and air force have been weakened by US actions.

China, which buys over 80% of Iran's shipped oil, has urged diplomacy. Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, is visiting Tehran to discuss recent developments, including the US threat of new sanctions. Iranian officials have accused the US of endangering regional security for Israel's sake and called for a diplomatic solution to end the war, which remains inconclusive despite Iran's defiance and the US's repeated military actions.