In a post on his X account on April 16, Baqaei denounced the US’ deliberate infliction of pain and suffering on innocent people, saying such policies are presented with “smug self-righteousness”.

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

“This only reveals an inhumane mindset behind them,” the spokesman added.

“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 noted.

Baqaei has also attached the photo of headline of a report to his post, citing the AP as saying that the US will ramp up economic pain on Iran.

According to the AP, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said the effort would be the "financial equivalent" of a bombing campaign against Iran.