Iran Foreign Ministry spokesperson warned Monday that Tehran would respond harshly to expanded U.S. sanctions, including measures against countries it sees as cooperating with Washington.
"Any escalation of this situation will undoubtedly bring about consequences," Esmail Baghaei said. "Our hands are not tied."
The new head of Iran’s top security body warned Sunday that Tehran will see any country’s support for the sanctions as an "act of war."
The expanded sanctions come after weeks of impasse. The United States has not dislodged Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s traded oil passed before the war started nearly six months ago.
Iran's demands for reopening the strait include lifting the U.S. naval blockade, withdrawing U.S. forces from the region and reparations for damages sustained in the war.
