Tehran: Iran has warned of retaliation after the United States expanded economic sanctions aimed at cutting off Tehran’s financial lifelines, with Iranian officials saying the country is “fully prepared” to withstand the pressure.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed the impact of the latest US measures and said Washington was not in a position to further restrict Iran’s relations with other countries.
The remarks came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new measures designed to pressure Iran’s economy and target countries that continue trading with Tehran.
Iran Says It Is Fully Prepared for New US Sanctions
Bessent said countries continuing to conduct business with Iran could risk being pushed out of the US dollar-based financial system.
However, he did not identify which Iranian trading partners would face penalties or specify when the measures would take effect. He said countries would be given time to comply with the new restrictions.
The US Treasury separately announced sanctions against 60 individuals, entities and vessels. The list did not include Chinese financial institutions suspected of facilitating Iran’s oil trade.
China remains one of Iran’s most important trading partners.
Iranian Officials Threaten Countermeasures
Ghalibaf said Iran’s trading partners had indicated that they would not be swayed by Washington’s latest threats.
Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh also said Tehran was prepared to respond to the sanctions.
He warned that Iran had its own economic tools and suggested that its response could go beyond defensive measures.
Madanizadeh further claimed that China and Russia had not accepted the US measures and predicted that other countries would resist Washington’s pressure.
Iran has previously warned that it could respond militarily and reduce oil exports from the Gulf if its interests or infrastructure are threatened.
Iran Warns of Wider Regional Consequences
Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi, a spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has also warned that US interests and key energy chokepoints could face attacks if Iranian infrastructure is targeted, according to Press TV.
The latest confrontation comes after months of conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
Although major strikes have reduced in recent weeks, diplomatic efforts have yet to produce a lasting settlement.
The conflict has weakened Iran’s conventional military capabilities and caused significant economic damage. However, Tehran is believed to retain missile and drone capabilities that could threaten US interests, regional targets and shipping around the Strait of Hormuz.
The precise condition of Iran’s nuclear programme also remains uncertain, while the United States and Israel continue to seek ways to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
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