Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has described US President Donald Trump’s latest economic pressure campaign against Tehran as a failed policy, accusing Washington of using economic pressure to divert attention from its own financial problems.
Araghchi said in a post on X on Thursday that continued US pressure would only deepen hostility among Iranians and bring what he described as another defeat for Washington.
His remarks came after Trump announced what he called a major new economic campaign against Iran, warning countries and entities that continue doing business with Tehran that they could face severe economic consequences. Trump said the United States would pursue what he described as unprecedented economic pressure and isolation of Iran.
Araghchi accused Washington of “economic terrorism,” saying the US measures threatened the wider global economy. He argued that the campaign was intended to distract from mounting US debt and rising interest costs, echoing his earlier criticism of Washington’s economic policies.
The latest escalation comes as efforts to resolve the conflict between Washington and Tehran remain stalled. The war, which began in February, has disrupted energy markets and sharply reduced shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a major global oil transit route. Oil prices have risen in recent days amid renewed uncertainty over the conflict and the future of the waterway.
Trump’s announcement marks a shift toward intensified economic pressure as the United States seeks to force Tehran to make concessions. Washington has warned that countries helping Iran evade sanctions or maintain significant commercial ties with Tehran could also face penalties. Iran, however, has continued to reject what it describes as pressure and demands for surrender.
The latest exchange also underscores the widening gap between the two sides as diplomatic efforts remain uncertain. Iran has said it remains open to diplomacy but has rejected negotiations under what it considers unacceptable conditions, while Washington has continued to demand major changes in Tehran’s nuclear and regional policies.
With the conflict approaching its sixth month and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz still well below normal levels, further economic pressure on Iran could have broader consequences for regional trade, energy supplies and global markets.
