Iran Calls New US Sanctions ‘State Terrorism,’ Urges Countries to Reject Them
TEHRAN, IRAN — WEB DESK: Iran has strongly condemned a new US economic sanctions campaign, describing Washington’s measures as “state terrorism” and urging other governments not to participate in what Tehran says is an unlawful attempt to isolate the country economically.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the US campaign, dubbed “Operation Economic Outcast,” violated international law and accused Washington of using the dominance of the US dollar to pressure other countries into aligning with its Iran policy.
The ministry characterised the measures as “US state terrorism against Iran and the world” and described the campaign as an “international crime” and a “crime against humanity.” These are Iranian government characterisations of the sanctions, not independent legal findings by an international court or tribunal.
Iran Urges Countries Not to Enforce Sanctions
Tehran called on governments worldwide to refrain from implementing the unilateral US measures.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry argued that participation in the sanctions would amount to complicity in Washington’s attempt to impose its policies on sovereign countries and interfere with legitimate international economic and trade relations.
It further claimed the sanctions threaten the health, employment and basic rights of millions of Iranians. The ministry said it would use available means to defend the country against what it described as a broader US-Israeli “military-economic offensive and hybrid war.”
What Is ‘Operation Economic Outcast’?
The United States announced Operation Economic Outcast on August 24, expanding its economic pressure campaign against Iran.
Washington is targeting sectors and financial channels it says provide crucial economic support to Tehran, including oil, shipping, aviation, gold, technology and digital assets.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the initiative as an effort to intensify pressure on Iran’s financial connections around the world and isolate Tehran from the international financial system. More than 60 entities, individuals and vessels were initially blacklisted as part of the campaign.
Washington says its sanctions are intended to disrupt financial networks and revenue streams used by the Iranian government.
The US and Iranian descriptions of the measures therefore differ sharply: Washington presents them as economic pressure targeting Tehran’s financial lifelines, while Iran describes them as unlawful collective economic coercion.
US Extends Pressure to Financial Networks Abroad
Washington has since expanded its sanctions-related measures.
On August 28, the US Treasury targeted the UAE branches of Egypt’s Banque Misr, seeking to cut their access to US dollar transactions and correspondent banking with American financial institutions. US authorities alleged the branches had served as an important financial channel for Iranian shadow-banking networks.
Egypt’s central bank clarified that the action concerned Banque Misr’s UAE branches rather than its domestic operations in Egypt.
The move illustrates how Washington’s strategy could affect third-country institutions accused of facilitating Iranian transactions.
Iranian Economy Under Growing Pressure
The sanctions come as Iran faces severe economic strains after months of conflict and disruption to its foreign trade.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said the country’s foreign trade has fallen by about 35%, while interruptions to oil exports and restrictions on international financial activity have added pressure to the economy.
Pezeshkian has also said Iran sold approximately 90 million barrels of oil during the implementation of a short-lived interim arrangement earlier this year. The figure is an Iranian government statement and should be treated as such rather than as independently audited export data.
Meanwhile, Iran’s leadership has acknowledged domestic economic pressures including inflation, unemployment and disruption to commercial activity.
Pezeshkian Signals Openness to Regional Cooperation
Despite escalating tensions with Washington, Pezeshian said Tehran remained prepared to cooperate with regional states, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
He has also argued that Muslim and regional countries should take greater responsibility for their own collective security and commit themselves to avoiding actions that undermine one another’s security.
The remarks come as regional governments continue diplomatic efforts aimed at containing the confrontation and addressing disruption around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Sanctions Dispute Deepens US-Iran Standoff
Iran’s condemnation underscores the widening gap between Washington and Tehran at a time when diplomatic efforts have yet to produce a durable settlement.
The United States is increasingly relying on economic pressure against Iran, while Tehran is urging foreign governments to resist American sanctions and maintain legitimate commercial relations with the country.
The immediate question is whether Washington can persuade more international governments and financial institutions to comply with its expanding sanctions campaign — and whether those measures increase pressure for negotiations or deepen the confrontation.
