Iran warns of severe retaliation as US plans harsher sanctions
Iran's military chief said the armed forces would respond with crushing force to any new U.S. sanctions, while U.S. officials described the measures as a "one-two punch" aimed at collapsing the regime.
Iran's armed forces chief, Major General Ali Abdollahi, told state media that the military is prepared across land, sea, air, air-defense and cyberspace to deliver "crushing, punishing and devastating" responses to any new U.S. threats. The remarks came after U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States would "collapse the regime" with a combination of a naval blockade and what he called the toughest sanctions in history.
The United States, under President Trump, warned that any country providing support to Iran would face economic consequences, and Bessent said details of the forthcoming actions would be outlined at a press conference. Iran's foreign ministry responded that additional sanctions would not deter the country's resolve to protect its independence and sovereignty.
Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf criticized the U.S. approach, suggesting America had shifted tactics after failing to achieve a military victory, and called for plans to overcome what he described as "unjust" sanctions and "cognitive" warfare.
The conflict, which began on Feb. 28, has resulted in thousands of Iranian casualties and 18 U.S. service members killed, according to Pentagon figures.