Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has dismissed the latest US economic sanctions against Tehran, insisting that Washington’s pressure campaign will not force Iran to change its position.
Pezeshkian made the statement on Wednesday as the United States stepped up its economic pressure on Iran.
According to Iran’s ISNA news agency, the president said his government had measures in place to withstand the impact of the sanctions.
“With the measures that the government’s economic sectors have foreseen, America will not achieve anything with economic pressure at this stage, just as it was unable to achieve anything in the war,” he said.
The comments came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans to impose what he described as “economic asphyxiation” on Iran.
Bessent also warned countries against refusing to participate in the US sanctions campaign, saying they could face consequences.
Despite the mounting pressure, Pezeshkian said Iran would continue to resist economic measures while keeping the door open to negotiations with Washington.
“Our principle is understanding and resolving issues through interaction and negotiation, but at the same time, we will stand firm against economic pressures, as we have done so far and will continue to do,” he said.
Hormuz remains key issue
Talks between Iran and the United States have stalled over the status of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a major global energy route.
The waterway normally carries about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports, but traffic has been severely disrupted since the war began on February 28.
Iran has maintained control of the strait since the conflict began and has sought to impose fees on vessels passing through the waterway.
The United States, however, is demanding the reopening of the strait to free navigation.
US President Donald Trump has also claimed that Washington has “total control” of the strategic waterway.
The continuing dispute over Hormuz, combined with the latest US sanctions, has further complicated efforts to restart negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Reuter.
