Two Rescued after Bulk Carrier Sinks Off India

Iran on Saturday condemned the United States' intention to impose new sanctions, labeling the move an "assertion of extraterritorial sovereignty over every independent member state of the United Nations." Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, stated that such secondary sanctions lack any basis in international law.

The impending U.S. sanctions threaten to further strain Iran's economy, already under immense pressure from existing measures and nearly six months of conflict since U.S. and Israeli airstrikes began on February 28. Oil shipments through the vital Strait of Hormuz have ground to a near halt, with Tehran warning of military responses to any unauthorized oil tankers transiting the waterway.

“

Such secondary sanctions find no foundation in international law.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to announce what are described as "the toughest sanctions in history" on Monday. These sanctions could significantly impact Iran's key trading partners, including China, which imports over 80% of Iran's oil. Despite the economic pressure, Iran's chief of staff of the armed forces, Major General Ali Abdollahi, vowed "crushing, punishing and devastating responses" to enemy threats.

While the U.S. has largely blockaded Iranian vessels, the Strait of Hormuz remains bottlenecked, stranding thousands of seafarers. Only a handful of commodity ships have passed through recently, with no large crude carriers or LNG tankers sighted. However, Iran has granted special permission for Iraqi oil tankers to pass, following requests from Baghdad during a visit by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.

“

Iran would respond to enemy threats militarily with "crushing, punishing and devastating responses."