War of words

The reimposition of US sanctions against Iran on Monday has ushered in what is likely to be a protracted period of heated rhetoric and standoff, as the Trump Administration threatens more pressure and Tehran warns that it can ramp up its nuclear programme again, Middle East experts say. In a preview of the war of words that is likely to escalate, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani vowed to continue selling oil in defiance of the sanctions. And in Washington, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: “The Iranian regime has a choice. It can either do a 180-degree turn from its outlaw course of action and act like a normal country, or it can see its economy crumble.”