The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Minister, Ismail Bagha’i:

The U.S. Treasury secretary has proudly spoken about “silencing” Iran through economic sanctions.

This claim, beyond its emotional aspects, is clear evidence of America’s compulsive addiction to sanctions.

This is no longer a “policy”; it is a “habit,” and more dangerous than that, it is an addiction that has overshadowed thought itself.

Over decades, Iran has shown that it will not surrender to these useless repetitions.

The real danger is that American politicians, who have clung to this bad habit, will instead waste the remaining opportunities they have to leave with dignity the crisis they themselves created.