Iran Dismisses US Sanctions as Hollow Threats, Vows Retaliation

Iran warned it would retaliate strongly against expanded US economic sanctions, dismissing Washington's pressure tactics and expressing confidence its key trade partners would resist them. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf claimed the US lacks the economic standing to isolate Iran and that its threats are hollow, with trade partners not taking the announcements seriously. The response follows Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's new restrictions targeting Iran's financial resources. The US reportedly aims to penalize buyers of Iranian oil, primarily China, and banks facilitating transactions. Iran's Supreme Security Council chief warned of halting oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and treating any nation supporting US measures as committing a hostile act.