Iranian Official: "Economic Siege Will Not Defeat Tehran"

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday dismissed the threat of new U.S. sanctions. "This is a sign of desperation among the Americans," he said. "The expected new measures will not succeed in defeating Tehran. The fact that they have moved from military actions... to reviving those same old plans shows that they are desperate. Washington must speak with Iran respectfully to find a solution based on justice and respect."

On Monday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to hold a press conference and present a list of the "harshest sanctions in history" against Iran.

According to the report, U.S. officials stressed that "the Iranian economy is already under enormous pressure from international sanctions, its infrastructure has been repeatedly damaged, and thousands of people have been killed in airstrikes on the Islamic Republic since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on February 28."

"Tehran remains defiant and refuses to allow unauthorized oil tankers to pass through a vital waterway for global oil shipments." Bessent said last week: "I will announce the new economic sanctions against Iran on Monday. It worked in Venezuela, it is working now in Cuba, and it will work in Iran. We will topple the Iranian regime."

Meanwhile, Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir, will visit Tehran on Monday to continue efforts to bring peace and security to the region, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said. Two sources in Pakistan's government confirmed Munir's visit to Reuters. The first source said Iran and Pakistan are in direct contact.

A second source said the talks will also address recent developments in the conflict, including U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to tighten sanctions on Iran.

"Munir will discuss peace within the framework of Islamabad's memorandum of understanding, Trump's warning, the situation following the Pakistan-Turkey-Saudi Arabia agreement, and Houthi issues with Iranian leaders," the source said.