The Foreign Ministry of Iran has accused the US of ‘paying a ransom’ to Israel by imposing sanctions on Iran’s energy sector in response to Iran’s missile attack on Israel. Despite this, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei defended the attack as a legitimate act of self-defense, portraying the sanctions as illegal and unjustifiable.
The US Treasury Department announced sanctions on vessels transporting Iranian oil and foreign companies involved in the Iranian petroleum trade, claiming they were a response to Iran’s missile attack on Israel. Baghaei warned against any potential Israeli retaliation on Iran’s oil or nuclear infrastructure, cautioning that it could lead to escalation and global economic consequences.
While the US believes Iran’s nuclear weapons program has been dormant for two decades, Iran has maintained its nuclear activities are peaceful. In the face of potential Israeli attacks, Iran vowed to retaliate proportionately. These developments highlight the ongoing tensions between Iran, the US, and Israel, with the threat of military conflict looming over the region.