TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged US President Donald Trump to avoid actions that could create further turmoil, saying outstanding disputes can be resolved through dialogue and implementation of a memorandum of understanding.
Speaking at a ceremony in Tehran, Pezeshkian said Iran was prepared to pursue negotiations to resolve differences while safeguarding its rights.
He also called on Trump to avoid steps that could destabilise the region, while accusing Israel of contributing to insecurity and aggression.
Pezeshkian said Iran does not seek war but would respond firmly to any attack against the country.
“We do not like war, but we will stand with strength against aggression and defend ourselves,” he said, stressing that no external power could force a united nation determined to defend its territory to surrender.
Iran’s President admits sanctions impacting economy
Earlier, President Masoud Pezeshkian admitted that US sanctions on his country are hurting its economy, despite just days ago insisting they would achieve nothing.
“Some say sanctions have no effect at all; to those people, I really don’t know what to say,” Pezeshkian told state TV in an interview.
“We are in a war situation, and we must accept these wartime conditions,” he added.
US trying to game energy markets: Araghchi
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also accused the US of engaging in “major efforts to game energy markets”, citing his country’s intelligence.
“US government elements use gullible media to influence prices for personal gain and keep POTUS (US President Donald Trump) mired in a losing war. Israel-aligned actors also promote war with rosy assessments,” he wrote on X.
“US consumers feel the real bottom line.”
Our intelligence shows major efforts to game energy markets. U.S. Govt elements use gullible media to influence prices for personal gain and keep POTUS mired in a losing war. Israel-aligned actors also promote war with rosy assessments.
U.S. consumers feel the real bottom line.
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) August 29, 2026
US imposes new sanctions on Iran
The United States imposed additional sanctions on Iran-related entities on Friday, expanding Washington’s economic pressure on Tehran amid its ongoing conflict with Iran.
The US Treasury said it had moved to restrict Egyptian bank, Banque Misr’s branches in the United Arab Emirates from accessing dollar transactions over the bank’s dealings with Iran.
ALSO READ: US Imposes New Sanctions on Iran
In a statement, the Treasury said its Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) had proposed a rule to revoke Banque Misr UAE’s correspondent banking access to US financial institutions.
The US Treasury Department announced sanctions against a Hong Kong-based entity and an individual linked to Iran’s Bank Melli, according to a notice published on the department’s website.
The latest measures come after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned earlier this week that Washington was prepared to take further action against Iran.
“Treasury promised to sever every economic lifeline Tehran has left and finally end the threat of the Iranian regime,” Bessent said in a statement.
“We also warned that Iran’s enablers cannot continue to enjoy access to the U.S. dollar and the global financial system. Banque Misr UAE decided to find out the hard way, and today, we are taking the first step in holding it accountable for its continued, egregious support of the Iranian regime.”
400 ships, 6,000 seafarers stranded in Gulf
Meanwhile, the International Maritime Organisation said up to 400 vessels carrying around 6,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf, six months after the conflict in the Middle East began.
The IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said that while some ships and their crews had managed to leave the region, hundreds of vessels remained unable to depart safely.
Dominguez described the situation in the Strait of Hormuz as “unresolved.” The strategic waterway is a major global shipping route, with around one-fifth of the world’s oil trade passing through it.
The United Nations maritime agency said it has verified at least 70 attacks on international shipping since the conflict began on February 28. The attacks have resulted in the deaths of 19 seafarers.
