US releases list of contraband Iranian goods under blockade

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman has sharply criticized Western sanctions, describing them as “economic terrorism and state-sponsored extortion” in response to recent remarks by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

“It is utterly abominable how policies that deliberately inflict pain and suffering on innocent people are presented with smug self-righteousness,” he wrote on X.

“These are nothing short of economic terrorism and state-sponsored extortion — actions that amount to crimes against humanity and, in their cumulative effect, constitute genocide.”

The comments came after Bessent said the United States was “moving aggressively” with sanctions targeting Iranian networks linked to oil trading and financing activities.

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said it is not in the interest of the United States or its allies for Russia to emerge as the winner of the war involving Iran.

“It’s not in our interest and it cannot be in the interest of the United States,” Klingbeil said in Washington on Thursday.

He made the remarks in a joint appearance with the finance ministers of Ukraine and Norway on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund’s spring meetings.

US forces enforcing a maritime blockade on ships entering or leaving Iranian ports have turned back 14 vessels in the first 72 hours of the operation, according to US Central Command.

In a post on X, CENTCOM said the vessels complied with instructions from American forces and turned around rather than attempt to breach the blockade.

“U.S. forces are focused, vigilant, and highly motivated as they execute a blockade on vessels attempting to enter or exit Iranian ports,” the command said.

Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis accused the United States of making unreasonable demands in negotiations with Iran.

The Houthi leader said Washington was pursuing “impossible demands for any independent country to accept,” according to a televised speech on Thursday.

He added that the ongoing two-week ceasefire was the result of “failures” by the United States and Israel to achieve their objectives in the Iran war.

“If negotiations succeed, it will either result in a longer period of stability or an end to the aggression,” al-Houthi said, accusing the United States of entering talks on terms based on “arrogance and pride.”

Hardline Iranian daily Kayhan whose editor is appointed the supreme leader's office claimed that Bahrain belongs to Iran and alleged that its people seek annexation to the country.

“First, Bahrain belongs to Iran, and the people of that land consider themselves Iranian. They speak Persian and seek annexation to their original homeland,” the newspaper wrote.

Kayhan also said Bahrain’s government had filed a complaint against Iran at the United Nations, accusing Tehran of interference in its internal affairs.

“Second, the puppet rulers of Bahrain have placed the soil of this Iranian island at the disposal of the United States and the Zionist regime for a military attack on Iran. Therefore, in addition to being stripped of power, they must also be put on trial and punished,” it added.