TEHRAN 23 August, 2026(News Desk): Iran has rejected the threat of new US sanctions, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi describing the expected measures as a sign of Washington’s desperation and insisting they will fail to defeat Tehran. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to hold a press conference on Monday, where he is expected to announce what he has described as “the toughest sanctions in history” against Iran. Iran is already facing severe economic pressure from international sanctions, while its infrastructure has suffered repeated attacks and thousands of people have reportedly been killed since the United States and Israel launched military operations against the Islamic Republic on February 28. Despite the pressure, Tehran has maintained a defiant stance and has effectively brought shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to a virtual standstill. Iran has refused to allow unauthorized oil tankers to transit the strategically vital waterway, disrupting a major route for global oil shipments and contributing to higher international oil prices.In a video posted on Telegram on Sunday, Araqchi said Washington’s return to sanctions after military operations demonstrated desperation. “The fact that they have moved on from military operations to bring up the same old plans shows that they are desperate,” he said.Araqchi called on Washington to engage with Iran respectfully and seek what he described as a solution based on “justice and honour.”He added that Iran had never been afraid of US pressure, saying previous measures, including blockades and military actions, had failed and that the latest sanctions would also fail.US President Donald Trump has warned of economic consequences for countries providing “any type of lifeline to Iran.” Bessent has also urged China to cooperate with Washington, as China remains the largest buyer of Iranian oil, accounting for more than 80% of Iran’s shipped oil according to 2025 data from analytics firm Kpler. China has continued to call for diplomacy as tensions between Tehran and Washington remain high.