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, stating that such measures would ultimately fail to defeat Tehran. Despite the economic strain imposed by international sanctions, Iran's infrastructure has been repeatedly targeted, and thousands have been killed in airstrikes since the US and Israel initiated attacks in early February.

The US has threatened to impose the toughest sanctions in history on Iran, but Tehran remains defiant, having brought shipping to a standstill in the Strait of Hormuz and pushing up global oil prices. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to hold a press conference, where he will announce the impending sanctions. China, which imports over 80% of Iran's shipped oil, has urged for diplomacy to resolve the conflict.

Iran's economy has suffered severely due to US attacks, but the country maintains enough missile and drone capability to disrupt oil tanker traffic and retaliate against regional rivals. Iranian officials have called for a diplomatic solution, emphasizing their victory and criticizing the US for attacking their institutions.