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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has dismissed the United States (US) economic sanctions, saying Washington “will achieve nothing” through increased pressure.
According to Iran’s ISNA news agency, Pezeshkian made the comment on Wednesday, as the United States intensified its economic campaign against Tehran.
“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.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans on Monday to impose what he called the “economic asphyxiation” of Iran.
Bessent also warned countries that refuse to join the US sanctions campaign of consequences.
Pezeshkian said Iran would continue to resist economic pressure while keeping the door open to negotiations.
“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.
Talks between Iran and the United States have stalled over control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway normally carries about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports, but traffic has been largely disrupted since the war began.
Iran has controlled the strait since the war began on February 28 and has sought to impose fees on vessels using the waterway.
The United States wants Hormuz reopened to free navigation, while President Donald Trump has claimed Washington “has total control” of the strategic waterway.
