Iran has warned the United States of a “devastating” response to any new threats as Washington prepares what it calls the toughest sanctions in history against Tehran.

Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces Major General Ali Abdollahi said on Friday that Iran’s military was ready to respond across land, sea, air, air defence and cyberspace.

“With preparedness across all domains, Iran’s armed forces will respond to the enemy’s new threats with crushing, punishing and devastating responses,” Iranian media quoted Abdollahi as saying.

The warning came a day after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would announce details of a new sanctions package on Monday. He said the measures aim to increase economic pressure on Iran and could reduce the need for further major military action.

Iran Rejects US Economic Pressure

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called for stronger economic planning to counter what he described as “unjust sanctions”.

Speaking to Iranian and Iraqi business representatives in Baghdad, Ghalibaf said Iran and Iraq should strengthen economic cooperation and use their national currencies for trade where possible.

He accused the United States and Israel of pursuing economic and “cognitive” warfare after failing to defeat Iran through direct military confrontation.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has also condemned the latest US sanctions threats as “economic terrorism”. It said the measures would not weaken Iran’s determination to protect its independence and sovereignty.

China Opposes Sanctions Strategy

China has rejected Washington’s sanctions strategy and called for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said sanctions and pressure would not resolve the Middle East crisis. He urged all sides to act responsibly and pursue political and diplomatic solutions.

China remains a major buyer of Iranian oil. Data from analytics firm Kpler showed that China purchased more than 80% of Iran’s shipped oil in 2025.

Any further US pressure on Chinese entities trading with Iran could therefore create tensions between Washington and Beijing.

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US Threatens Wider Economic Action

Bessent said the United States would reveal more details of its new sanctions package on Monday.

He described the strategy as a combination of an existing blockade and what he called the toughest sanctions ever imposed on Iran. He also said Washington wanted to pressure Iran’s leadership into collapse.

US President Donald Trump has separately warned countries that provide financial, commercial or other support to Iran of “tremendous economic consequences”.

The warning could affect countries that maintain trade links with Tehran or help facilitate negotiations.

Oil Markets Remain Under Pressure

The latest escalation has also affected global energy markets. Oil prices rose to a more than three-week high on Thursday following Washington’s threats.

The conflict has disrupted regional energy supplies and raised concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route.

The United States and Iran have announced ceasefire agreements twice, in April and June. Both agreements later collapsed, leaving the region facing continued military and economic uncertainty.