Iran discovers large gas deposit amid US sanction threats

Iran has announced the discovery of a large natural gas deposit amid escalating tensions with the United States. Iranian officials have responded defiantly to threats of intensified economic sanctions from Washington, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi describing the potential measures as a “repeating movie” and a “bullying tactic” that Tehran has faced for two decades.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has threatened to impose the “hardest sanctions in history” against Iran. This economic pressure follows months of conflict, including airstrikes by the US and Israel in February. In response to the ongoing hostilities, Iran has effectively paralyzed navigation in the Strait of Hormuz by refusing passage to unauthorized oil tankers, a move that has contributed to rising global oil prices.

Sardar Moeibi, a spokesperson for the Revolutionary Guard, characterized the US reliance on economic warfare as a “silent admission” of failure in the military sphere. Meanwhile, Tehran stated it is working with international NGOs to document alleged “war crimes” committed by the US and Israel during recent conflicts.