TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, that the United States will achieve nothing through its new round of economic sanctions against the country.
Golden Info reports that news agency ISNA published the comments from Pezeshkian following plans detailed on Monday by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for the economic asphyxiation of Iran. “With the measures that the government’s economic sectors have foreseen, America will not achieve anything with economic pressure at this stage, just as it was unable to achieve anything in the war,” Pezeshkian said.
Bessent warned of consequences for nations that do not participate in the campaign, though Iranian leaders dismissed the impact, citing sanctions endured since shortly after the 1979 revolution. “Our principle is understanding and resolving issues through interaction and negotiation, but at the same time, we will stand firm against economic pressures, as we have done so far and will continue to do,” Pezeshkian added.
Negotiations between Iran and the United States remain stalled over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime transit through the waterway, which carries around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports, remains largely paralyzed.
Iran has exercised control over Hormuz since the war began on February 28 and has sought transit fees from vessels. The United States seeks a return to pre-war free navigation standards, while US President Donald Trump stated that Washington has total control over the passage.