Iran Calls US Sanctions War on All Sovereign Nations

Iran declared on Friday that new U.S. sanctions represent a "declaration of war" against all sovereign nations, not just Tehran, in a sharp escalation of rhetoric amid a prolonged conflict between the two countries. The statement from Iran's Foreign Ministry came as U.S. President Donald Trump stated that military options remain open and questioned whether a deal was possible, citing Iran's economic weakness.

The diplomatic clash centered on a fresh package of economic restrictions announced by Washington. Iran's Foreign Ministry, in a statement carried by state media, condemned the measures as "economic terrorism" and a "crime against humanity," arguing they violate the fundamental rights of Iranian citizens. The ministry framed the sanctions as a continuation of seven decades of U.S. hostility and asserted they would not weaken Iran's resolve to defend its national sovereignty and dignity. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei went further, contending that by attempting to force foreign banks and businesses worldwide to cut off trade with Iran, Washington is exerting illegitimate "extraterritorial sovereignty" over other UN member states. He warned that such secondary...