Iran lashes out at U.S. sanctions amid economic toll at home

DUBAI/CAIRO – Iran strongly criticized the United States' recent economic sanctions as "state terrorism" on Friday, while its supreme leader announced a ban on actions that could harm "social cohesion" due to fears that further financial hardship could lead to unrest within the country. Six months into the ongoing war, and with negotiations at a deadlock, the U.S. administration led by President Donald Trump has intensified its efforts to inflict economic damage on Iran through what it terms an "economic D-Day."

These sanctions exacerbate the impact of the war on Iran's economy, where annual inflation soared to 66% last month. The dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, which previously accounted for a fifth of global oil supplies prior to the conflict, remains the most significant unresolved issue. The U.S. has cautioned nations against engaging in business dealings with Iran or risk facing secondary sanctions, though the Treasury Department refrained from implementing penalties outright.