Iran has condemned the latest round of US sanctions, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei warning that the measures go beyond Iran and could undermine the sovereignty of other independent nations. In a statement on August 22, 2026, Baghaei described the sanctions as a form of 'full-scale colonialism,' according to state media.
The new sanctions, announced by the US Treasury Department on August 21, target Iranian entities and individuals allegedly involved in weapons proliferation and support for regional proxies. The US has maintained that its sanctions are aimed at curbing Iran's destabilizing activities, but Tehran argues they are an economic war against its people.
Baghaei's remarks come amid ongoing tensions between Tehran and Washington, which have escalated since the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal in 2018. Iran has repeatedly called for the lifting of sanctions, which have severely impacted its economy, including banking, oil exports, and trade.
The Iranian spokesperson also called on other nations to resist what he termed 'unilateral coercive measures,' urging the international community to uphold multilateralism and respect for national sovereignty. The US has not yet responded to Iran's latest criticism.
