WANA (Aug 11) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson has criticized remarks by the U.S. Treasury Secretary regarding the use of economic sanctions against Tehran, describing Washington’s approach as evidence of a “deep addiction to sanctions” within the U.S. governing system.

 

In a post on the social media platform X, Esmail Baghaei referred to the U.S. Treasury Secretary’s comments, in which he took pride in efforts to “suffocate” Iran through economic sanctions and pressure, saying such statements reflect a mindset rooted in reliance on sanctions rather than diplomacy.

 

Baghaei argued that whenever Washington finds itself unable to advance its diplomatic objectives, it turns to sanctions, and when those measures fail to produce results, it simply increases their intensity instead of reconsidering its approach.

 

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson described this pattern as no longer a policy choice but a habit, warning that such dependence on sanctions has replaced strategic thinking and rational decision-making.

 

He also stated that Iran has demonstrated over several decades that it will not be “suffocated” by what he called outdated rhetoric and inhumane pressure campaigns.

 

Baghaei added that the real danger is that U.S. policymakers could become so consumed by what he described as a “pathological addiction” to sanctions that they undermine their own remaining opportunities for a less humiliating exit from a crisis they helped create.