‘Same movie again’, Iran fires back at Trump

TEHRAN: Iran has sharply criticised the United States over the prospect of fresh economic sanctions, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissing the expected measures as little more than a repeat of Washington’s long-running pressure campaign against Tehran.

Araghchi said on Monday that the anticipated US sanctions package amounted to “watching the same movie over and over again”, signalling that Tehran does not view the latest American move as a fundamentally new strategy.

His remarks came as tensions between Iran and the United States remained high, with Washington considering additional economic restrictions on Tehran. The Iranian foreign minister argued that the pressure and what he described as intimidation pursued under President Donald Trump were not substantially different from policies adopted by previous US administrations.

For Tehran, the prospect of new sanctions represents another chapter in a prolonged confrontation that has repeatedly tested diplomatic efforts between the two countries. Iran has consistently opposed Washington’s use of economic pressure, arguing that sanctions cannot force the country to abandon its national interests or change its broader foreign policy.

Araghchi’s comments also suggest that Iranian officials are attempting to frame the expected measures as a continuation of an established US policy rather than a fresh diplomatic initiative. His choice of language reflected frustration in Tehran over what it sees as repeated reliance on sanctions despite years of pressure producing limited political results.

The potential announcement comes at a particularly sensitive time for the region. Iran remains involved in wider diplomatic discussions concerning regional security and the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route for global energy shipments. Any additional escalation between Tehran and Washington could complicate those efforts and raise concerns among regional governments and international markets.

The United States has repeatedly used sanctions as a key instrument in its policy towards Iran, targeting areas of the Iranian economy in an effort to increase pressure on Tehran. Iran, meanwhile, has frequently criticised such measures as unilateral and destabilising.

The latest exchange could further narrow the space for diplomacy if Washington proceeds with the new sanctions package. Iranian officials are likely to closely monitor the scope and targets of the measures before deciding on their response.

For now, Araghchi’s message is clear: Tehran sees the expected US action not as a new chapter, but as a familiar strategy returning once again.

With tensions already elevated, the next move from Washington could determine whether the latest sanctions dispute remains a war of words or develops into another major confrontation between the two countries.