US Officials Warn of Intensifying Economic Pressure on Iran as Sanctions Compound

Economic pressure on Iran is expected to intensify over the coming months as existing sanctions compound and oil revenues continue to diminish, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Speaking on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Paris, Rubio stated that Iran's remaining oil revenues are likely to dry up once the limited quantity of oil that bypassed restrictions during a brief ceasefire period is fully exhausted. He added that the US Treasury Department, led by Scott Bessent, is working alongside intelligence agencies to close remaining avenues that Tehran has used to circumvent restrictions.

Rubio described the economic pressure on Tehran as extraordinary and blamed the Iranian leadership for the worsening conditions. While maintaining that Washington remains open to a diplomatic agreement, he characterized the conditions currently proposed by Tehran as absurd and not serious.

In response to the mounting pressure, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned the United States and other adversaries against making military miscalculations. Following the unveiling of a new missile facility by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, Ghalibaf asserted that Iran would respond rapidly to any military threat and that its defense capabilities have continued to advance despite sanctions and security pressures.

The Iranian Parliament Speaker emphasized that the missile facility demonstrates the country's ongoing commitment to enhancing its defense capabilities using indigenous knowledge, even under external pressure.

Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addressed ongoing diplomatic uncertainty by denying media reports of a possible meeting between Iran’s Supreme National Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei and US Vice President JD Vance. Araghchi termed the reports completely unfounded and confirmed that no such plans exist as both nations continue to trade strong statements regarding sanctions, defense capabilities, and the conditions for future negotiations.

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