Iran Mocks U.S. Sanctions as "Bluff," Weighs Military Force and Strait Blockade

In response to the United States declaring a "maximum economic isolation" campaign with severe sanctions against Iran, Tehran has dismissed the move as a "bluff."

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator and parliamentary speaker, posted on X on the 24th local time (August 24), "Americans know very well that no one believes their bluffs.

Economically, the U.S. is in no position to further restrict trade with other countries," he said.

He added, "Iran's trading partners have publicly stated through the media and through messages sent to us that they are unconcerned by these remarks from the U.S."

Iran's Tasnim News Agency quoted a high-ranking Iranian intelligence official on the same day, evaluating that "the latest U.S. measure is primarily aimed at shaping public opinion rather than imposing substantive economic sanctions," adding, "It is a move orchestrated by Trump's media team intended to exert psychological pressure on the Iranian people."

Experts believe it is highly likely that Iran will respond to the "economic war" with the U.S. by simply enduring it.

Having accumulated know-how in countering U.S. sanctions that have persisted for nearly 50 years since 1980 following the Islamic Revolution, Iranian authorities reportedly believe that their citizens are accustomed to deprivation and restrictions.

Some predict that, unlike in the past when it had to unilaterally bear U.S. sanctions, Iran may move beyond a "waiting-it-out strategy" to go on the offensive, given that the current situation involves potential military escalation.

For one, Iran is highly likely to further tighten its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route.

Whenever U.S. pressure has intensified, Iranian officials have frequently threatened that "not a single drop of oil will be exported through any part of the Persian Gulf."

On the 24th, the day the U.S. declared intensified sanctions, Iranian authorities placed 45 oil tankers on a sanctions list on the grounds that they violated regulations for transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

In particular, they warned that they would also block the operation of "shuttle vessels" that transport crude oil between the Persian Gulf and Omani ports outside the Strait of Hormuz to facilitate transshipment exports.

In coordination with its ally, the Houthi movement in Yemen, Iran could also further tighten its blockade of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another vital logistics bottleneck at the entrance of the Red Sea.

An offensive against Gulf states is also among Iran's options.

Mohsen Rezaee, secretary of Iran's Expediency Discernment Council, warned on state television on the 22nd (August 22) that "any nation participating in the economic war waged by the U.S. will be considered an enemy."

Previously, the Iranian military also warned on the 18th (August 18) targeting Middle Eastern nations hosting U.S. military bases, stating, "Any support or facilitation for a U.S. attack will be regarded as participation in military action."

With the U.S. declaring an "economic war," Iran could argue it has legitimate grounds to attack economic infrastructure in Gulf states—such as energy terminals, logistics terminals, and desalination facilities—in accordance with the Islamic principle of retribution, Qisas, or "an eye for an eye."

Reuters cited cyberattacks against the West as another potential counter-card for Iran.

Since late last month (July), water supply systems in several U.S. states and operations at a small power plant in the U.K. have been temporarily disrupted, with Iran being pointed to as the possible culprit.

Given Iran's advanced cyberattack capabilities, the feasibility of such actions remains high.
 

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.