Iran says it must overcome 'unjust sanctions' as US ramps up pressure

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf stated that Iran must plan to overcome 'unjust sanctions,' a day after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced what he described as the toughest sanctions ever imposed on Iran. Bessent said the measures, to be detailed soon, could lessen the need for further military operations.

Qalibaf, a key political figure and negotiator, accused the United States and Israel of waging economic and 'cognitive' warfare after concluding they could not win a direct military confrontation. He also called for stronger economic ties between Iran and Iraq, suggesting the use of their national currencies in trade to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.

Earlier, the U.S. had urged China to support its sanctions campaign against Iran, with Bessent highlighting potential benefits for China, such as lower energy prices and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. China, however, has indicated that sanctions and pressure do not help resolve the issue and has continued to import significant amounts of Iranian oil.