Iran Condemns U.S. Sanctions as Lawless and Inhumane
“We will NOT negotiate under pressure and intimidation. We will NOT even consider it, no matter what the subject may be. Negotiation is different from bullying and issuing diktats,” Iran’s FM.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Iranian government has strongly condemned the United States' continued enforcement of its “maximum pressure” policy, calling it a violation of international law and a crime against humanity. Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baqaei denounced recent statements by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, describing them as a blatant admission of hostility toward the Iranian nation.
Baqaei stated that Washington’s insistence on maintaining economic and political pressure against Iran is a continuation of failed policies that have historically yielded no results. “It is a mistake to test the one who has been tested,” he said, arguing that U.S. policymakers will not achieve any different outcomes by repeating their previous strategies of sanctions and intimidation.
A Policy of Confrontation
The “maximum pressure” campaign, implemented by the Trump administration, aims to curb Iran’s nuclear program and regional influence by imposing extensive economic sanctions. However, Iranian officials have consistently labeled these measures as illegal and detrimental to ordinary citizens, accusing Washington of weaponizing economic hardship to force political concessions.
On Monday, Iran’s foreign ministry further condemned the U.S. decision to end a sanctions waiver that had previously allowed Iraq to purchase electricity from Iran. “Such statements are an admission of lawlessness, an admission of crimes against humanity, because the U.S. sanctions, the unilateral U.S. sanctions, against the Iranian nation have no justification or legal basis,” Baqaei stated, adding that the move was “absolutely illegal.”
Iran’s Defiant Response
In response to continued U.S. sanctions and pressure, Iran has vowed to strengthen its internal economic and technological capacities. “The Iranian nation will continue to reinforce its resilience in various fields and will answer any illegal and inhumane pressure with resistance and perseverance,” Baqaei declared.
Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, also weighed in, reaffirming Iran’s stance on nuclear energy and negotiations. “Iran's nuclear energy program has always been—and will always remain—entirely peaceful. There is fundamentally, therefore, no such thing as its ‘potential militarization,’” Araghchi said. He emphasized that Iran would not negotiate under pressure or intimidation, stating, “We will NOT negotiate under pressure and intimidation. We will NOT even consider it, no matter what the subject may be. Negotiation is different from bullying and issuing diktats.”
Araghchi also highlighted Iran’s ongoing diplomatic efforts, noting that consultations were underway with European powers (E3), as well as Russia and China, to explore ways to build confidence and enhance transparency in its nuclear energy program in exchange for lifting “unlawful sanctions.”
“In the past, the U.S. enjoyed respect from Iran whenever it was respectful in its discourse, and it was confronted whenever it adopted a threatening posture. Every action compels a reaction,” Araghchi warned, underscoring Iran’s firm stance against what it sees as U.S. coercion.
Iran's nuclear energy program has always been—and will always remain—entirely peaceful. There is fundamentally therefore no such thing as its "potential militarization".
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 9, 2025
We will NOT negotiate under pressure and intimidation. We will NOT even consider it, no matter what the…
The Broader Geopolitical Landscape
The escalating rhetoric between Tehran and Washington comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East. Ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq have deepened regional divisions, with Iran playing a significant role in supporting allied armed militias across the region. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to expand sanctions against Iran’s financial and military networks.
As both nations stand firm in their positions, the international community watches closely. Whether Washington’s pressure campaign will lead to negotiations or further escalation remains uncertain.
