Iran Warns US of ‘Devastating’ Response as Washington Threatens Tougher Sanctions

Iran Warns US of ‘Devastating’ Response as Washington Threatens Tougher Sanctions

Iran has warned that it will respond forcefully to any fresh US action aimed at crippling its economy, as Washington prepares to unveil what it describes as its toughest sanctions yet against Tehran.

Iranian military chief Major General Ali Abdollahi said the country’s armed forces were prepared to respond across land, sea, air, air defence and cyberspace if the US followed through on its threats.

The warning came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would announce further measures against Iran on Monday.

President Donald Trump has also warned countries providing economic support to Tehran that they could face consequences.

Bessent said the new pressure campaign was intended to weaken Iran’s leadership and suggested that maximum economic pressure could reduce the likelihood of a major military escalation.

Iranian officials have rejected the sanctions threat, saying economic pressure would not force the country to abandon its independence or sovereignty.

President Masoud Pezeshkian called for the conflict to end but warned that Iran would respond heavily to any attack.

The confrontation has also affected global energy supplies. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for international oil shipments, has fallen sharply, while oil prices remain elevated.

China, a major buyer of Iranian crude, has also criticised Washington’s approach. Its embassy in the US said sanctions and pressure would not resolve the dispute and called for diplomacy instead.

Iran has faced decades of sanctions, with the latest measures coming as the country deals with inflation, a weakening currency, energy shortages and damage to infrastructure.

The growing economic pressure is also creating difficulties for US allies in the Gulf, where Iranian attacks have affected energy facilities and desalination plants that provide drinking water.