Iran defies new U.S. sanctions and asserts control over Strait of Hormuz

Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has rejected new economic sanctions imposed by the United States, asserting that Washington ‘will obtain nothing’ through such pressure. Comparing the current measures to those experienced during wartime, Pezeshkian stated that Iran remains determined to resist economic coercion while maintaining a preference for dialogue and negotiation.

The standoff follows plans presented by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding an ‘economic asphyxiation’ campaign against Iran, which includes threats to countries that do not comply with the sanctions.

Tensions are further heightened by the ongoing dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage for global energy supplies. Iran has sought to impose rights on vessels traversing the strait, while the United States aims to restore the free navigation regime that existed prior to the current conflict. The disruption in this vital waterway, which handles approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports, continues to impact international energy markets.