Iran vows to stand firm against fresh sanctions and US-Israeli ‘conspiracies’

Iranian leaders have vowed to withstand US pressure and pursue diplomacy despite the economic toll of sanctions and a blockade. The supreme leader has urged the government to address the hardship caused by the sanctions, which have led to a drop in foreign trade. According to Channel News Asia, the president said foreign trade has shrunk by a third due to the American sanctions and blockade.

The Iranian government has stated that addressing economic pressures caused by sanctions and war is a central focus, including curbing inflation, managing markets, creating jobs, directing investment towards domestic production, and gradually reducing dependence on the dollar. The US has warned countries to cut business ties with Iran or face secondary sanctions.

Gulf states are making a strategic pivot as the situation in Iran drags on, seeking new defensive partners due to the reality that neither the US nor China is able to protect them from attacks by Iran, according to Reuters Business via SCMP and South China Morning Post. Kuwait has signed a military cooperation agreement with Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia has signed a three-way pact with Turkey and Pakistan, which includes a Nato-style clause.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Times of Israel, Channel News Asia, Reuters Business via SCMP, South China Morning Post — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.