Today, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei declared on social media platform X that the recently announced US sanctions constitute an "extraterritorial imposition of sovereignty" on United Nations member states. He emphasized that no country has the right to compel foreign banks, businesses, or airports to abandon trade relations with Iran.

"The outcome will be the complete erosion of sovereignty, which is the core foundation of the United Nations-based international relations system, and it will pave the way for a full return to old-style colonialism," Baghaei stated.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei at a press conference in Tehran on 4/5. Photo: AFP

On the same day, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf reported that Tehran had received "many messages" from neighboring countries regarding the establishment of new security mechanisms and expanded regional economic cooperation. He also accused the US of "bullying and completely disregarding the interests" of its allies to protect Israel, thereby endangering their security and existence.

"An independent order, built by the region itself, is what will truly bring peace and security," he wrote on X.

These latest comments from Tehran follow Trump's declaration on 19/8 of the "most devastating economic campaign" against Iran. He warned that any country whose entities trade with Tehran would face "catastrophic economic consequences."

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated Trump's statement on 20/8, suggesting that the new sanctions would cause Iran to "collapse" and that other countries only had the choice to "either be with us or against us."

A man holding an Iranian flag during a pro-government rally in Tehran on 11/8. Photo: AP

Iranian state media quickly responded to the US threats, asserting that Tehran has been accustomed to facing US sanctions for decades. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that these new measures would "surely fail."

"It's the same old game, just a different bully," Araghchi wrote on X, along with a screenshot of former President Barack Obama's post about 2012 sanctions.

The war of words between Iran and the US comes amid stalled peace talks. The US Navy continues to maintain a blockade of Iranian seaports, while oil transportation through the Strait of Hormuz remains very limited.

Thanh Tam (According to Al Jazeera, CNN, Reuters)