Araghchi rejects Trump’s threats of “devastating economic measures”

Iran’s deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi rejected threats by U.S. President Donald Trump today, saying Washington’s measures are counterproductive and will deepen antagonism toward Tehran.

Araghchi issued his response hours after Trump warned Iran of what he called “devastating economic measures.” The U.S. president said the administration would pursue “an economic war and isolation of unprecedented scale,” without providing many operational details.

Araghchi: threats aim to distract and amount to ‘economic terrorism’

Posting on social media, Araghchi characterised the threats as intended to divert American public attention from domestic financial problems and described the policy approach as “failed policies” that “will bring new failures.” He also wrote that "economic terrorism endangers the world economy and the national sovereignty of states across the world," attributing broad consequences to the proposed U.S. measures.

Separately, Oman’s foreign minister Badr al‑Busaidi said ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz is “inseparable from the security and prosperity of the broader region.” Speaking at a joint press conference with his Japanese counterpart, al‑Busaidi argued durable safety in the waterway requires “lasting peace in the region,” which he said can be achieved only through “restraint and continuous diplomacy.”

Iran said earlier this week it had reached an understanding with Oman on a framework for the transit of ships through the strait that lies between the two countries; the two sides are working to align the final details of a joint statement. Shipping in the area has been disrupted and the strait effectively closed since the start of the war on Feb. 28, a conflict the report says began with American and Israeli attacks on Iran. Before that war, roughly one‑fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas passed through the waterway.

The episode follows Trump’s announcement that he intends to carry out “the harshest economic operation” against Iran to date.

Photo: EPA-EFE/ERDEM SAHIN