Iran’s Foreign Minister dismissed the threat of new U.S. sanctions as a sign of desperation on Sunday (August 23, 2026) and said the expected new measures would fail to defeat Tehran.
“We have never been afraid.
He said Washington must speak to Iran respectfully to find “a solution based on justice and honour. All of their actions — whether blockades or other military moves they have made — have failed, and this new issue of theirs will fail as well,” he said.
U.S. China has urged diplomacy. Munir would touch on recent developments including the U.S. threat of new sanctions. Mr.
Bessent has urged cooperation with Washington by China, which buys more than 80% of Iran’s shipped oil, according to 2025 data from analytics firm Kpler. Iran said Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, would visit Tehran on Monday (August 24, 2026) as part of efforts to restore peace and security in the region, but gave few details.
President Donald Trump has warned of economic consequences against any country that provides “any type of lifeline to Iran,” and Mr. Pakistan has been mediating in the conflict and a Pakistani government source said Mr. Trump said on Friday (August 21) that Washington was observing “what happens” in the conflict. Iranian Parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Saturday (August 22) that Tehran had received “numerous messages” from neighbouring countries about establishing new regional security arrangements and economic cooperation.
