World News Today Live Updates: Iran rejects US pressure, warns it is ready for ’round of confrontation’
Women walk past a portrait of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the U.S. and Israel strike on Feb. 28, and images of the Iranian flag, on a sidewalk in downtown Tehran, Iran. (Photo: AP)
The United States has launched a sweeping new round of sanctions against Iran, aimed at cutting off all financial lifelines to Tehran’s government. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the move, and said President Trump is pushing US allies to back the measures too.
Iran has responded defiantly, with officials warning of serious consequences if Washington keeps up the pressure including threats to shut down Gulf oil exports and warnings that any country siding with the sanctions could be treated as taking part in an act of war. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has signalled that military options remain firmly on the table.
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- US officials say the new sanctions target five key sectors digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping along with Iran’s oil revenue and roughly 60 entities, vessels and individuals accused of propping up the regime.
- Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said the country’s leadership would guide Iran through the coming “economic hardships.”
- Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, warned that Tehran could halt all Gulf oil exports if the US economic pressure campaign continues.
- Rezaei added that any country backing Washington’s sanctions would be treated as taking part in an act of war against Iran.
- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington has not ruled out military strikes against Iran, in the Strait of Hormuz or elsewhere in the region.
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