Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, Aug 20: Iran on Thursday dismissed US President Donald Trump's newly announced economic pressure campaign, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying Washington's so-called "Economic D-Day" would fail and lead to further defeat for the United States.

Araghchi described Trump's campaign as a diversion from America's own economic problems and criticised Washington's renewed use of sanctions and economic pressure against Tehran. He said the policy would only deepen hostility towards the United States.

Trump on Wednesday announced what he called the "most crushing economic operation" ever undertaken against a country, warning that nations, companies and institutions providing economic support to Iran would face severe consequences.

The US president said Washington would target economic channels supporting Tehran, including oil smuggling, financial transactions, exchange houses, ship registries and front companies. He also warned countries allowing their financial institutions, businesses, airports or government entities to provide Iran with what he termed a "lifeline" of facing "tremendous economic consequences."

The announcement marks a significant escalation in Washington's economic pressure on Tehran amid the continuing conflict and stalled negotiations between the two countries.

Iran, however, has rejected the latest pressure campaign. Araghchi argued that intensifying sanctions and economic restrictions would not force Tehran to surrender its position. Iranian officials have maintained that the country remains open to dialogue but will not accept negotiations under what they regard as coercive pressure.

Iranian media have also portrayed Trump's announcement as a renewed version of Washington's previous "maximum pressure" strategy, arguing that Tehran has developed mechanisms to circumvent sanctions and maintain commercial links with foreign partners.

The latest US move could also place pressure on countries that continue to trade with Iran, particularly its major economic partners. Analysts have warned that enforcing secondary sanctions against such countries could create wider economic and diplomatic tensions.