Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has condemned US measures to curb Iran’s economy, branding it “economic terrorism” in a post on X.

The spokesperson is referring to comments by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has said Washington will ramp up its infliction of “economic pain” on Iran.

“It is utterly abominable how policies that deliberately inflict pain and suffering on innocent people are presented with smug self-righteousness,” Baghaei says, adding that this reveals an “inhumane mindset” driving the US.

“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,” he adds.