The United States and Iran have exchanged defiant messages as Washington prepares to announce new economic sanctions. Described as Economic D-Day, these record sanctions are intended to pressure the Islamic Republic and could impact Tehran's most important trading partners, including China.
President Pezeshkian has urged an end to the war with the U.S., stating that Iran is currently in a position of power, strength, and dignity. In a meeting with doctors, he suggested it is better to bring the conflict to an end now on Iran's own terms. This move represents a pushback against hardliners who wish to continue the conflict, though Pezeshkian emphasized that Tehran would never bow to intimidation.
The Iranian regime has dismissed threats to crush the country economically, arguing that years of U.S. sanctions have already failed. The foreign ministry characterized the move as economic terrorism and warned of sweeping retaliation. Lead negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf noted that a peace memorandum signed in June contains no clause suggesting Iran's capitulation. Additionally, Omani and Iranian foreign ministers recently held a call as the U.S. prepares the sanctions.