Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on August 23 that the latest U.S. sanctions against Iran will prove ineffective and underscore Washington’s desperation.
“All their actions, whether it’s a blockade or other military steps, have failed, and this new step of theirs will also fail,” Araqchi was quoted as saying by Reuters. The Iranian official urged the United States to conduct dialogue with Tehran on terms of respect and seek “a solution based on justice and honor.”
Despite Iran’s economy facing severe strain from sanctions and repeated infrastructure damage, the Islamic Republic has maintained its capacity to disrupt global oil flows. In recent days, Tehran effectively halted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, triggering a surge in international oil prices. Meanwhile, Iran retains the ability to launch missiles and drones to obstruct oil tanker movements.
Earlier this week, Mohsen Rezai, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warned that Tehran would target not only oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz but also alternative shipping routes for Persian Gulf exports if regional states joined U.S. sanctions campaigns.
On August 20, Donald Trump announced a sweeping economic campaign against Iran aimed at its international isolation, threatening serious consequences for any country allowing financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government agencies to support Iran.
