Iran vows retaliation against new U.S. sanctions, confident partners will resist

Iran has promised to strike back against expanded U.S. sanctions, which Washington says will cut off the country's economic lifeline. Tehran, however, is confident that its major trading partners will defy U.S. pressure.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the measures on Monday. He did not impose the most severe sanctions, stating instead that countries continuing to trade with Iran risked exclusion from the dollar-based financial system. Bessent did not name the countries that would face penalties or when they would take effect, opting to give them time to comply with the new directive.

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We are fully prepared for the U.S. sanctions.

The Treasury Department did impose sanctions on 60 individuals, entities, and vessels. Notably, the list did not include Chinese financial institutions suspected of facilitating Iran's oil trade. Meanwhile, mediator Pakistan reported significant progress in recent talks with Tehran. The discussions focused on preventing further conflict escalation and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Pakistani military.

Iranian Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh stated, "We are fully prepared for the U.S. sanctions." He added, "Naturally, the enemies intend to launch an economic terrorist attack on us, but we also have our own tools and know how to play the game. Our defense is no longer so defensive; the enemies should wait for an attack." He also noted that neither China nor Russia had "accepted" the U.S. measures, predicting other countries would resist them. Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps vowed significant blows to U.S. interests and energy chokepoints if Iran's infrastructure is threatened, according to Press TV.

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Naturally, the enemies intend to launch an economic terrorist attack on us, but we also have our own tools and know how to play the game. Our defense is no longer so defensive; the enemies should wait for an attack.