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Iran has stated that its economic strategy will not be contingent upon resuming nuclear talks with the U.S. and warns of alternative measures if Washington rejects its terms. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told the Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA), “Despite sanctions, we continue our economic activities and sell oil.”
Gharibabadi highlighted that Iran is capable of conducting trade even under sanctions. “They tried to reduce our oil sales to zero, but failed because there are different capacities,” he said.
The U.S. has imposed new sanctions on over a hundred individuals, entities, and vessels linked to Iran’s oil and petrochemical sectors. Gharibabadi described this as an “assault on the Iranian people.”
Tehran has set preconditions for resuming nuclear talks with the U.S., including financial compensation and guarantees against military attacks. The U.S. has rejected these demands, calling them “ridiculous.”
Gharibabadi stated, “If sanctions can be lifted through negotiations, that would be great, but we should not tie everything to negotiations.” He emphasized the need for a possible response to Iran’s conditions.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce commented on July 31: “Demands for financial compensation from the U.S. to the Iranian regime are ridiculous. The Iranian regime should stop destabilizing actions if it wants to alleviate sanctions.”
With ongoing mistrust, there is potential for renewed military action and broader confrontation. Iran risks further international sanctions if it fails to reach a nuclear agreement with European countries.
*A man holds an Iranian flag at the start of an anti-U.S. and anti-Israeli protest after Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran on July 25, 2025.*
*Credit: Vahid Salemi/AP Photo*
