In a post on his X account, Araqchi said that after 47 years of sanctions and failing to achieve its aims through war, the US has resorted to a “novel” solution to impose more sanctions, sarcastically questioning the rationale behind the move.

“After 47 years of sanctions, the US went to war with Iran on behalf of Israel. The fallout has been disastrous for America, including its standing worldwide,” he said.

“After failing to achieve its aims through sanctions or war, Washington’s ‘novel’ solution is…more sanctions. Seriously?” Araqchi added.

His comments came after the Trump administration on Tuesday announced new sanctions targeting all Iranian airlines and nearly a dozen foreign companies accused of doing business with Mahan Air, which Washington had previously sanctioned.

The latest measures are part of what the US administration calls “Operation Economic Outcast,” a financial pressure campaign launched last month.

The new sanctions target 27 Iranian airlines and nine entities, cargo service providers and general sales agents that the US Treasury Department claims were used by the IRGC to obtain American aircraft or other US-origin aviation materials.