Arabic version: إيران تقول إنها مستعدة لعقوبات أميركية موسعة

According to BBC News, Iran has said it is “fully prepared” to counter expanded US sanctions intended to isolate Tehran from the global economy. Economy Minister Ali Madanizadeh said the measures would result in “another defeat” for the United States and said the government had a two-year plan to manage them.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced what he called “Operation Economic Outcast”, describing it as “the single greatest financial offensive ever” against Iran. He said nations financially partnering with Iran, along with banks and businesses that refused to cut ties, would face isolation. The Treasury issued determinations covering digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping, and imposed sanctions on almost 60 entities, individuals and vessels.

Iran said it expected to continue trading with other countries. Madanizadeh said China and Russia had not accepted the US measures and predicted other nations would resist them. China said it firmly opposed what it called “illegal unilateral sanctions”, with foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jiang saying Beijing would safeguard its own interests.

Economists questioned how much immediate effect the package would have. David Oxley of Capital Economics said the direct impact on Iranian energy revenue could be limited because a renewed US naval blockade was already restricting oil exports. He noted that roughly 90% of Iranian oil goes to China, which has continued business with Tehran despite earlier US sanctions.

The conflict has pushed up global oil prices and Iran has warned it could shut down oil exports from the region if the war continues. It has also warned ships not to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without permission. One fifth of the world’s oil and gas normally passes through the waterway, where flows have been effectively blocked since the conflict began at the end of February.