Iran accuses U.S. of sanction addiction as Treasury vows harsher pressure

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman rebuked the U.S. Treasury secretary's claim that sanctions are "suffocating" Tehran, calling the policy a compulsive habit that limits American options.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei mocked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's claim that U.S. sanctions were "suffocating" Iran, describing the practice as a compulsive addiction that narrows Washington's diplomatic choices. Baqaei argued that whenever the United States fails to achieve its goals through negotiation, it resorts to sanctions and escalates them when they do not produce the desired outcome.

Bessent, in a recent X post, pointed to Iran's reliance on digital currencies and shadow banking as proof that the "Economic Fury" strategy was succeeding and pledged to keep increasing pressure in dollars, rials or crypto. Baqaei cautioned that this relentless sanctioning could ultimately weaken the U.S. position rather than force Tehran to capitulate. The rhetoric comes as the two sides clash over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, with Iran demanding an end to the port blockade, removal of sanctions, release of frozen assets and compensation for damage from U.S. and Israeli strikes. President Donald Trump has rejected reparations demands and instead urged Iran to compensate Americans harmed by proxy conflicts, complicating any potential reopening of the vital shipping lane.