HARIAN EXPRESS,TEHRAN — Iran condemned the latest US sanctions on Thursday, calling them economic terrorism and a crime against humanity, (08/21/2026).
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the condemnation on August 20 after the United States announced a broad new package of sanctions targeting Tehran. The ministry sharply criticized Washington’s decision and linked the timing of the measures to a major event in Iran’s modern history.
The Iranian ministry said the United States deliberately imposed the new sanctions around the anniversary of the 1953 coup in Iran. The ministry pointed to the involvement of the United States and Britain in that episode and described the latest measures as part of what it called Washington’s 73-year hostility toward the Iranian people.
Iran used particularly strong language to characterize the new restrictions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the sanctions as “economic terrorism and a crime against humanity.” The statement reflected Tehran’s broader opposition to Washington’s long-running sanctions policy.
Iran Rejects Washington’s New Sanctions
The latest dispute comes after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced what he described as the “toughest” sanctions ever imposed against Iran. The announcement prompted an immediate response from Iranian officials.
Tehran presented the sanctions as another escalation in the confrontation between the two countries. Iranian officials argued that Washington continues to use economic pressure as a tool against Iran and its population.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry also connected the new measures with the historical memory of the 1953 coup. By invoking that episode, Tehran placed the latest sanctions within a much longer history of tensions between Iran and the United States.
Ghalibaf Calls for a Response
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, also responded to the sanctions. He said Iran needs to develop a plan to confront what he called “cruel sanctions.”
Ghalibaf made the remarks while visiting Iraq. He also urged Baghdad to cooperate with Tehran as Iran faces the continuing pressure and the broader wartime situation.
“If you look at the resources and raw materials of Muslim countries, you will realize that our enemies have come to plunder them; therefore, we must devise a plan to deal with these cruel sanctions in this situation so that we can overcome them,” Ghalibaf said.
His comments reinforced Tehran’s position that Iran should respond to the latest American measures through a coordinated strategy rather than accept the pressure without a response.
Washington Describes the Measures as the Toughest
Bessent’s announcement provided the immediate trigger for the latest Iranian criticism. The US Treasury secretary characterized the new sanctions as the most severe measures Washington has imposed against Iran.
Iran, however, rejected that approach and condemned the sanctions in the strongest terms. The Iranian government argued that Washington’s policy represents a continuation of its longstanding pressure on Tehran.
The dispute therefore adds another layer to the already tense relationship between Iran and the United States. Tehran has framed the sanctions not simply as economic restrictions but as part of a broader campaign against the country.
Iran Links Sanctions to Decades of Tension
The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s statement emphasized the historical dimension of the confrontation. By referring to the 1953 coup, the ministry connected the current sanctions with what it considers decades of American hostility.
Iran said Washington’s decision to introduce the latest measures around the anniversary of the coup demonstrated the continuity of that policy. Tehran therefore portrayed the new sanctions as another chapter in a much longer dispute.
Ghalibaf’s comments also reflected the Iranian leadership’s determination to formulate a response. During his visit to Iraq, he called for greater cooperation between Baghdad and Tehran while Iran deals with the new economic pressure.
Economic Pressure Remains Central to the Dispute
The latest developments show how economic sanctions remain a central instrument in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran. The United States has presented the new measures as part of its pressure campaign against Iran, while Iranian officials have condemned them as unjust and harmful.
Iran’s use of the terms “economic terrorism” and “crime against humanity” signals the severity of its response to Washington’s latest announcement. The language also underscores the deep political divide between the two governments.
For now, Iranian officials have focused on developing a strategy to withstand the new restrictions. Ghalibaf’s call for a plan to counter the sanctions and his appeal for cooperation with Iraq indicate Tehran’s intention to confront the measures rather than accept them without resistance.
The latest exchange highlights the continuing tension between Washington and Tehran. The United States has announced what it calls its toughest sanctions against Iran, while Iran has rejected the measures and accused Washington of pursuing a decades-long campaign of hostility.
