Archive · 26 Aug 2026
US Sanctions Draw Conflicting Claims About Iran’s Economic Pressure
The United States announced stronger economic sanctions against Iran.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions were making Iran’s leaders panic.
He pointed to Iranian comments about wanting the war to end as evidence.
Iran’s president said ending the war was a priority, but he also said Iran was negotiating from a position of strength.
Iran’s parliament speaker rejected the idea that the sanctions were working.
Iran’s economy minister said the country had prepared for sanctions for two years.
The two sides therefore disagree about how much pressure the sanctions are creating.
Meanwhile, the price of oil fell for a second day.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said intensified sanctions were causing Iran’s leadership to panic.
Bessent cited remarks by President Masoud Pezeshkian and Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf about ending the war.
Ghalibaf and Iran’s economy minister rejected the US assessment and said sanctions would not significantly affect Iran.
Pezeshkian said ending the war and preserving national unity were priorities, while claiming Iran remained in a position of strength.
Brent crude fell 3.8% to $87.14, extending a second day of declines despite heightened US-Iran tensions.
- Who
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Iran’s economy minister.
- What
- The United States intensified sanctions on Iran, prompting conflicting claims about their economic and political impact.
- When
- The sanctions were announced the previous day, and the statements discussed were made or cited on Tuesday; the quoted remarks had been published the previous week.
- Where
- The dispute concerns relations between the United States and Iran; Pezeshkian also referred to an Islamabad memorandum of understanding between the two countries.
- Why
- Bessent said the sanctions were pressuring Iran, while Iranian officials said the country was prepared for them and that ending the war and preserving unity were priorities.
US assessment
Iranian response
Effect of sanctions
US assessment
Bessent said Iranian leaders were panicking and that the intensified sanctions were working.
Iranian response
Ghalibaf and Iran’s economy minister said the sanctions would not pose a major concern and that Iran had prepared for them.
Meaning of calls to end the war
US assessment
Bessent presented Pezeshkian’s and Ghalibaf’s comments about ending the war as evidence of pressure on Iran.
Iranian response
Pezeshkian said ending the war was a priority but maintained that Iran was acting from a position of power and dignity.
Iran’s economic resilience
US assessment
Bessent’s comments implied that sanctions were creating significant pressure on Iran’s leadership.
Iranian response
Ghalibaf said military power alone was insufficient if people faced hunger and the economy lacked financial circulation, growth, and domestic production; he also rejected US claims about Iran’s vulnerability.
- US official assessment
- Scott Bessent said Iran’s leadership was “panicking” and that the pressure was working.
- Iranian president’s position
- Masoud Pezeshkian said ending the war and preserving unity were priorities, while describing Iran as being in a position of strength.
- Parliament speaker’s response
- Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said US restrictions would not be a serious concern and warned that economic conditions mattered alongside military power.
- Iran’s sanctions preparations
- Iran’s economy minister said the country had been preparing for sanctions for two years.
- Brent crude price
- Brent crude fell 3.8% to $87.14 midday on Tuesday.
- Oil market trend
- Oil prices declined for a second consecutive day after rising on 13 of the previous 14 days.