Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dismissed President Donald Trump’s latest economic threats as an attempt to shift attention away from growing financial troubles inside the United States.
Trump warned that any country, company, airport, bank or government body that provides “any type of lifeline to Iran” could face what he called “tremendous economic consequences.” He offered few details, but promised “economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale.”
Araghchi said the remarks were meant to distract the American public from record US debt and rising interest costs. In a post on X, he accused Washington of using “economic terrorism” and said US pressure threatened both the global economy and the sovereignty of other nations, according to The Express Tribune.
He also warned that continued reliance on failed policies would only bring further setbacks and deepen hostility toward the United States among Iranians.
Trump’s comments come nearly six months into a war involving the US, Israel and Iran. Thousands have been killed, and the conflict has spread across the Gulf region. Global markets have been shaken by Iran’s ability to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital sea route that carried around one-fifth of the world’s traded oil before the war began.
The US and Iran announced ceasefire agreements in April and June in hopes of restoring shipping through the strait. However, both agreements quickly collapsed. Israel has mostly stepped back from direct fighting with Iran but has continued attacks on civilian infrastructure in Lebanon.
The United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday that it was suspending trade, commercial activity and financial dealings with Iran until further notice. The move followed claims by the UAE defence ministry that two Iranian missiles had fallen into the sea, an allegation Tehran rejected as baseless.
China could face particular pressure because it buys more than 80 percent of Iran’s shipped oil, according to 2025 Kpler data. However, stronger US action against Beijing could bring retaliation, especially because China supplies important rare-earth minerals to the US.
Iran says it remains open to dialogue but will not accept surrender. Meanwhile, US messages remain mixed: Trump said talks were not taking place, while envoy Jared Kushner said negotiations were still active and stronger than ever.
