Iran’s Foreign Ministry said all countries were obliged to refrain from implementing US sanctions against Tehran, adding that participation in them amounted to complicity in imposing one state’s unlawful will on independent states. In a statement published on its X account on Friday, the ministry described new US economic measures as illegal and reprehensible "state terrorism" and a crime against humanity, saying they put the health and livelihoods of millions of civilians at serious risk. It called on the international community to uphold the rule of law and said Tehran would use all its capabilities to defend itself against what it called a combined US-Israeli military and economic assault. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that "putting diplomacy back on track isn't impossible" and depended on the United States' understanding that "pressure doesn't work." In a statement on X, Araghchi said that he had "creative discussions" with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Jassim Al Thani. In the post, he said that the US should "build trust, speak respectfully, acknowledge our rights, and uphold commitments." Had creative discussions with H.E. the PM/FM of Qatar. Putting diplomacy back on track isn't impossible. It hinges on U.S. understanding of one simple fact: pressure doesn't work. The U.S. should build trust, speak respectfully, acknowledge our rights, and uphold commitments. pic.twitter.com/9yQ2pOXe5R — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) August 28, 2026 Sheikh Mohammed visited Tehran on Thursday as Doha continued diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between Iran and the US. During the visit, he held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Araghchi, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei. The talks included efforts to create conditions for the resumption of dialogue, as well as a proposed temporary joint navigational corridor through the Strait of Hormuz and mine-clearing efforts. The visit marked the Qatari foreign minister's first trip to Iran since the conflict began with US and Israeli strikes in late February. Iran’s parliament speaker hits back at US Treasury secretary on foreign spending Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Thursday lashed out at US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent after he accused Tehran of spending vast sums abroad while Iranians struggle to meet their basic needs. In a post on US social media company X, Ghalibaf said Washington should spend money on its own citizens instead of directing billions of dollars to its overseas allies and military bases. “Instead of funnelling billions to its terrorist proxy, Israel, and 750 bases, this failing empire could spend that cash on its own people, but nah, that'd make too much sense for this regime,” he said. Instead of funneling billions to its terrorist proxy, Israel, and 750 bases, this failing empire could spend that cash on its own people, but nah, that'd make too much sense for this regime. Scotty, man [?], your credibility is on the line. Do something.https://t.co/zz1x0VWKyQ https://t.co/FQf6k8aova — محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) August 27, 2026 Addressing Bessent, Ghalibaf said: “Scotty, man, your credibility is on the line. Do something.” His remarks came in response to a post by Bessent that accused the Iranian government of wasting large amounts of money abroad. Read: Trump says millions of barrels of oil flowing through Strait of Hormuz “As the Iranian people struggle to afford basic necessities, the corrupt regime continues to squander enormous sums abroad,” Bessent said. “Instead of funnelling billions of dollars to its terrorist proxies, the regime should spend that money for its people,” he added. In June, Iran and the US, with Pakistani and Qatari mediation, signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding in Islamabad. It included provisions for ending hostilities that began in late February with US and Israeli attacks on Iran, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting a US naval blockade and beginning a 60-day negotiation process. Tehran has accused the US of failing to implement key provisions of the memorandum, insisting that the strait will not fully reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments. US CENTCOM claims shipping lanes open in Strait of Hormuz The US military’s Central Command said on Thursday that internationally recognised shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz are open after American forces cleared sea mines from the waterway. “We have successfully cleared sea mines in the Strait's international shipping lanes that were laid months ago by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said in a video on US social media company X. “Internationally recognised transit routes in the Strait are free of Iranian sea mines.” U.S. Navy E/A 18G electronic-warfare aircraft patrol the skies over the Middle East while the U.S. continues to enforce the blockade against Iran. As of Aug. 27, CENTCOM forces have redirected 75 commercial vessels, disabled 3 and boarded 2 to ensure compliance. pic.twitter.com/JNzig4owRl — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 27, 2026 Cooper said US forces used Navy divers, Navy SEALs and aircraft from the army, navy, air force and Marine Corps to clear the lanes. “Bottom line, today, international shipping lanes are open and momentum is building,” he said. He said US forces assisted nearly 1,500 commercial vessels in transiting the strait in the last several months, carrying nearly 750 million barrels of crude oil to global markets. Cooper also said that since the US resumed its naval blockade in July, no ships had entered or left Iranian ports without American permission, except for vessels allowed to pass on humanitarian grounds. He said the US turned around 75 vessels attempting to run the blockade and disabled three that did not comply with directions. Iran threatens US economic interests if maritime blockade continues Iran will target US economic interests if the maritime blockade against the country continues, a senior Iranian official warned on Thursday. “If the blockade continues, we will target US economic interests fully and with intensity and force,” Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said, according to state broadcaster IRIB. Rezaei said Iran had “broken the maritime blockade” during the ceasefire and exported between 70 million and 80 million barrels of oil. He added that Iranian oil sales had returned to their pre-sanctions level. “In addition to clearing floating stocks, we have established new export routes that are gradually expanding,” Rezaei said. Addressing developments in Lebanon, Rezaei said Beirut and its southern suburbs were a “red line” for Tehran. “No one has the right to move toward Beirut or its southern suburbs,” he said. “We are closely monitoring the situation with complete seriousness.” Rezaei added that Israel “will be forced to withdraw from the occupied areas in Lebanon.”