Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Iran Says US 'Addicted' To Sanctions, Incapable Of Diplomacy
Iran and America are having a big argument.
America put new money restrictions, called sanctions, on Iran.
Sanctions make it hard for a country to do business with other countries.
America's money boss, Secretary Scott Bessent, said the sanctions are like 'suffocating' Iran.
Iran's spokesperson, Esmaeil Baqaei, said America is 'addicted' to sanctions.
He said America uses sanctions when it can't fix problems by talking.
He said America just makes the sanctions tougher when they don't work.
Baqaei said Iran will not give in, even after many years.
He warned that America might hurt its own chances of ending the fight.
The two countries are also arguing about a busy waterway called the Strait of Hormuz, where lots of the world's oil travels.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei accused the United States of a 'compulsive addiction' to sanctions and of being 'incapable of pursuing diplomacy' in a post on X on August 10, 2026.
The remarks followed fresh US sanctions imposed the previous week targeting Iran's financial networks.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the pressure was effectively 'suffocating' Iran and pointed to Iran's use of digital assets and shadow banking networks as evidence that 'Economic Fury' is working, pledging to continue increasing pressure.
Baqaei warned that American politicians clinging to the sanctions habit could 'strangle their own remaining chances of a less humiliating exit from a crisis of their own making.'
The exchange comes amid a dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran demanding lifted sanctions, released frozen assets and compensation, while President Donald Trump demands Iran compensate Americans killed or wounded in conflicts involving Iranian-backed groups.
- Who
- Esmaeil Baqaei, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, responding to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent; US President Donald Trump also weighed in on compensation demands.
- What
- Iran accused the US of being 'addicted' to sanctions and 'incapable' of diplomacy after Washington imposed fresh sanctions on Iran's financial networks.
- When
- August 10-11, 2026; the fresh US sanctions were imposed the previous week, and Bessent posted on X on August 7, 2026.
- Where
- Iran (Tehran) and the United States; the dispute centres on the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- The US says the economic pressure is 'suffocating' Iran's leadership; Iran says Washington resorts to sanctions because it is incapable of pursuing diplomacy.
Iran's Position
US Position
Nature of sanctions policy
Iran's Position
Sanctions are a 'compulsive addiction' and a 'habit' that Washington falls back on whenever it proves 'incapable of pursuing diplomacy.'
US Position
Sanctions are effective economic pressure that is 'suffocating' Iran's leadership and evidence that 'Economic Fury' is working, per Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Effectiveness and consequences
Iran's Position
Iran will not be forced into submission even after decades of sanctions, and continued reliance on pressure could 'strangle' Washington's own chances of a 'less humiliating exit from a crisis of their own making.'
US Position
The US will continue increasing economic pressure and will hunt down and dismantle the illicit financial networks, including digital assets and shadow banking, that keep the Iranian regime afloat.
Compensation and demands
Iran's Position
Iran demands the US end its blockade of Iranian ports, lift sanctions, release frozen Iranian assets, and pay compensation for damage caused by US and Israeli bombardment.
US Position
President Trump rejected Iran's reparations demand and instead called for Tehran to compensate Americans killed or wounded in conflicts involving Iranian-backed groups, instructing US representatives to include the demand in negotiations.
- Key figure
- Esmaeil Baqaei, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson
- US official quoted
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
- US action
- Fresh sanctions targeting Iran's financial networks
- Iran's allegation
- US is 'addicted' to sanctions and 'incapable' of diplomacy
- US justification
- Pressure effectively 'suffocating' Iran's leadership; 'Economic Fury' working
- Baqaei's post
- X (Twitter), August 10, 2026, via @IRIMFA_SPOX
- Bessent's post
- X (Twitter), August 7, 2026
- Key sticking point
- Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's traded oil passed before the war
