Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref publicly addressed the impact of American sanctions on Saturday, characterizing the US approach as "economic terrorism." In a statement posted to social media, Aref argued that historical experience during the Islamic Revolution demonstrates that external economic pressure fails to change the political will of the Iranian nation and often produces the opposite of the intended effect. He emphasized that the Iranian government remains committed to protecting the country's economic stability and the livelihoods of its citizens despite these measures.

These remarks were made in response to recent announcements by US President Donald Trump regarding the implementation of new sanctions. While the Iranian leadership frames these actions as a failed attempt to coerce the population, the US government typically characterizes such sanctions as necessary tools to pressure the Iranian regime to alter its foreign policy, nuclear program, and regional activities. The two sides remain fundamentally divided on the efficacy and morality of these economic measures, with Tehran viewing them as an act of aggression against the civilian population and Washington viewing them as a strategic instrument of statecraft.