Iran’s foreign minister dismissed the threat of new U.S. sanctions as a sign of desperation on Sunday and said the expected new measures would fail to defeat Tehran, reports BritPanorama.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is due to hold a press conference at 2 p.m. ET on Monday, has threatened to impose “the toughest sanctions in history” on Iran.
Iran’s economy is already under immense pressure from international sanctions, its infrastructure has been repeatedly impacted, and thousands have died in airstrikes since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on February 28.
Despite nearly six months of war, Tehran remains defiant and has brought shipping to a virtual standstill in the Strait of Hormuz, refusing to allow unauthorized oil tankers to transit a crucial waterway for global oil shipments. This effective blockade has driven global oil prices higher.
Describing what he termed “repetitive scenarios,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in a video on Telegram: “The fact that they (U.S. leaders) have moved on from military operations… to bring up the same old plans shows that they are desperate.”
He emphasized that Washington must engage with Iran respectfully to find “a solution based on justice and honor.”
“We have never been afraid. All of their actions—whether blockades or other military moves they have made—have failed, and this new issue of theirs will fail as well,” he added.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of economic repercussions for any country that provides “any type of lifeline to Iran,” and Bessent has called for cooperation from China, which purchases over 80% of Iran’s exported oil, according to 2025 data from analytics firm Kpler. China has urged diplomacy.
Pakistan’s army chief to visit Tehran
Iran announced that Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, would visit Tehran on Monday as part of efforts to restore regional peace and security, although few details have been provided.
Pakistan has been mediating in the conflict, and a Pakistani government source indicated Munir would discuss recent developments, including the U.S. threat of new sanctions.
Trump stated on Friday that Washington is monitoring “what happens” in the conflict.
“They would love to make a deal, but they’re not ready to make the right deal, in my opinion,” Trump said regarding Iran.
U.S. attacks have significantly weakened Iran’s economy and damaged its navy and air force, but Tehran retains enough missile and drone capability to disrupt oil tanker traffic and threaten regional rivals.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reported that Tehran has received “numerous messages” from neighboring countries regarding new regional security arrangements and economic cooperation.
He did not specify which countries were involved and accused the U.S. of jeopardizing the security of its allies for the benefit of Israel, asserting that an independent, “homegrown” regional order would foster peace and security.
Trump has yet to meet his objectives set at the start of the war, such as dismantling Iran’s nuclear program—the status of which remains unclear as U.N. inspectors have been barred since 2025—and creating conditions for Iranians to overthrow their clerical rulers.
While Iran continues to assert its position, President Masoud Pezeshkian has also advocated for a diplomatic resolution.
“It would be better to end the war today, when we are powerful and have dignity, and the whole world acknowledges our victory and emphasizes that America, contrary to all regulations, attacked our schools, hospitals, and infrastructure and is hated in the world,” he stated, according to the ISNA news agency.
