Iran: New US sanctions amount to ‘economic terrorism,’ ‘crimes against humanity’

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned a new round of US economic sanctions against the country, stating that the measures amount to “economic terrorism” and “crimes against humanity.”

In a statement issued on Thursday, the ministry said the new sanctions, announced by the US government on the anniversary of the 1953 coup in Iran, demonstrate the continuation of decades of hostility toward the Iranian people.

“The new US sanctions are not only another indication of the continuation of 73 years of hostility by US policymakers toward the Iranian people, but also demonstrate the anti-human, lawless and hegemonic nature of the US government,” the statement said.

On Wednesday, Trump announced what he called the “most crushing economic operation” against Iran, claiming that Tehran would face “economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale”. He also threatened sanctions against any country that does business with Iran.

The threat comes as his war on Iran, launched alongside the Israeli regime on February 28, has failed to reach any of its objectives.

The ministry said the sanctions target the fundamental rights of Iranian citizens and slammed Washington for violating international norms.

“Without a doubt, the US economic sanctions against Iran, which target the fundamental human rights of every Iranian citizen, constitute ‘economic terrorism’ and ‘crimes against humanity,’” it said, adding that those responsible should face prosecution and punishment.

The Foreign Ministry said the latest measures came after US-Israeli aggression against Iran over the past year and a half and their failure to force the Iranian people to surrender to “illegal and inhumane ambitions.”

The statement said the sanctions would merely add to the record of US actions against Iran and would not undermine the Iranian people’s determination to safeguard the country’s independence, dignity and national sovereignty.

“Economic sanctions and pressure are the other side of the same coin as military war and aggression,” the ministry said, stressing that Washington’s reliance on both policies has placed global peace and security at risk.

Trump’s ‘economic terrorism’ against Iran a distraction from US economic woes: Araghchi

Araghchi warns that the US will face further defeat if it continues to escalate its failed economic policies against Iran.

It also called on countries committed to the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for national sovereignty, not to remain indifferent to continued US violations of fundamental international norms.

The ministry further described the new sanctions as a continuation of a policy that has already been tested and failed.

“The policy has already been tried and failed, and testing it again will undoubtedly produce nothing but a repetition of past failures and the disgrace of those who designed and implemented it,” the statement said.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that Iran remains determined to defend its national security and interests against US military, economic, political and psychological pressure.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, relying on its unparalleled national capabilities and taking into account seven decades of comprehensive resistance against US pressure, intervention, military aggression and state terrorism against Iran, will employ all available tools and capacities to counter the US-Israeli enemy’s hostile actions and safeguard Iran’s national interests,” it said.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir