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Iran has condemned a new US sanctions campaign as an assault on national sovereignty, accusing Washington of trying to impose its laws and economic decisions on countries far beyond US territory.
The confrontation escalated after US President Donald Trump announced what he described as the “most crushing economic operation” against Tehran, warning countries, banks and institutions that continue doing business with Iran of potentially severe economic consequences.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei rejected the US measures on Saturday, arguing that Washington had no legitimate authority to force sovereign states to cut commercial ties with Tehran.
“No sovereign state has the right to force foreign banks, companies or airports to sever their commercial relations with Iran,” Baghaei said in a social media post, warning that such measures amounted to an attempt to establish “extraterritorial sovereignty”.
He said the US approach threatened the foundations of the UN-based international order and described it as “a recipe for an abysmal return to full-scale classic colonialism”.
The latest dispute comes as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict remain stalled, with Washington increasing economic pressure on Tehran rather than signalling an immediate return to negotiations.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said the new sanctions campaign is intended to put enough pressure on Iran to “collapse” its economy. He has also presented foreign governments and businesses with a stark choice, saying they are “either with us or against us”.
Trump, meanwhile, said Iran would like to reach an agreement but was not yet prepared to accept what his administration considers the “right deal”.
The escalating economic confrontation is also having major consequences for international shipping and energy markets.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors, has effectively become a major flashpoint in the confrontation. A US naval blockade and Iran’s restrictions on shipping have sharply disrupted the movement of commercial vessels, leaving hundreds of ships waiting in and around the strategic waterway.
Shipping data cited in reports showed that only four commodity vessels, none carrying crude oil or liquefied natural gas, passed through the strait on Thursday, underscoring the scale of the disruption.
The Strait of Hormuz normally handles a substantial share of global oil and gas shipments, making any prolonged disruption a potential threat to energy supplies, shipping costs and the wider global economy.
Iranian officials, however, insist that Washington’s strategy will ultimately fail.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the latest US campaign as a repeat of earlier sanctions efforts, including measures imposed during the administration of former US President Barack Obama.
“We have seen this movie before,” Araghchi said, describing the latest measures as the “same bull. Different bullies”.
Despite the wider confrontation, Tehran has shown some flexibility towards neighbouring countries whose energy trade has been affected by the restrictions.
Iranian state media reported that Tehran had granted special passage permission to several Iraqi oil tankers following repeated requests from Baghdad. The decision came during a visit to Iran by Iraqi officials, including Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
The move suggested that Tehran may be prepared to make limited exceptions for neighbouring countries even as it maintains pressure on the United States and its allies.
The dispute now places Iran and the United States at a critical diplomatic and economic crossroads. Washington appears determined to use sanctions and control over international financial and trading channels to increase pressure on Tehran, while Iran is portraying the campaign as an assault on national sovereignty and the rules of the international system.
With negotiations stalled and the Strait of Hormuz facing severe disruption, the confrontation carries risks well beyond the two countries, particularly for global energy markets and international shipping.
The immediate challenge for both sides will be to prevent economic pressure from developing into a wider confrontation while keeping open a path towards renewed diplomacy. Source: Aljazeera