Iran dismisses US threat of ‘toughest sanctions ever’ as sign of desperation

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismisses the threat of new US sanctions as a sign of desperation, saying the expected new measures will fail to defeat Tehran.

Describing what he says are “repetitive scenarios,” Araghchi says in a video posted on Telegram: “The fact that they (US leaders) have moved on from military operations… to bring up the same old plans shows that they are desperate.”

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is due to hold a press conference Monday afternoon, has threatened to impose “the toughest sanctions in history” on Iran.

Araghchi says Washington must speak to 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 adds.