Beijing urges all sides to pursue political and diplomatic solutions to the war
Iran has condemned President Donald Trump’s threat of “crushing economic warfare”, as US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent vowed the “toughest sanctions in history” to pressure Tehran and urged China to join the effort. The US also sanctioned Hezbollah as an Iranian proxy. Meanwhile, the USS George Washington has arrived in the Middle East to relieve the USS Abraham Lincoln, while US forces say they have redirected 67 merchant ships, disabled three and boarded two linked to Iranian ports.
Time to end war while in position of strength: Pezeshkian
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Friday it was time to end the months-long Middle East war with the United States because Tehran was in a position of strength over Washington.
“It is better that we bring the war to an end now as we are in a position of power and dignity, and the whole world acknowledges our victory and emphasises that America has attacked our schools, hospitals and infrastructure in violation of all regulations and is hated around the world,” he said in a meeting with doctors.
His comments came after Iran’s foreign ministry accused the US of “economic terrorism” and “crimes against humanity” after Washington said it would ramp up sanctions to heap pressure on Tehran.
“The perpetrators and instigators of these sanctions are deserving of trial and punishment for committing such heinous crimes,” it said in a statement carried by state media.
Source: Gulf News
