Iran Calls New US Sanctions ‘Economic Terrorism,’ Warns of Global Threat

TEHRAN, Aug 20: Iran on Thursday condemned a fresh wave of US economic and trade sanctions, describing them as “economic terrorism” and accusing Washington of pursuing decades of hostility toward the Iranian people.

In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said the latest sanctions targeted the fundamental rights of individual Iranian citizens and constituted “economic terrorism and a crime against humanity.” It said those responsible for designing and implementing the measures “deserve prosecution and punishment” for what it described as serious crimes.

The ministry said the new sanctions followed what it described as two “American-Zionist wars on Iran” and Washington’s subsequent failure to force the Iranian people to accept what Tehran called “illegitimate and inhumane demands.”

Iran also portrayed the US economic campaign as “the other side of the coin of war,” warning that Washington’s simultaneous use of military and economic pressure posed a threat to global peace and security.

The Foreign Ministry said Iran remained “steadfast and determined” to defend its national interests against US military, economic, political and psychological pressure.

The Iranian reaction came a day after US President Donald Trump announced plans for what he called the “most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country,” describing his renewed maximum-pressure campaign against Tehran as “Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale.”

Trump said the US would seek to sever financial channels supporting Iran and warned countries that provide Tehran with an economic “lifeline” through financial institutions, businesses, airports or government entities that they could face severe economic consequences.

Calling the campaign an “Economic D-Day,” Trump also urged US allies to join Washington’s effort to intensify financial pressure on Tehran.