Iran warns of ‘devastating’ response to impending US sanction barrage

Key Points:

• China rejected U.S. calls to impose harsh sanctions on Iran, advocating for dialogue and negotiation instead of military or economic pressure, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian.
• Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani is considering joining a regional defense pact involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey, but ruled out improving ties with Iran unless Tehran changes its policy toward Syria.
• Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's office accused Turkish President Erdogan of extending aggression against Israel into Syria, condemning Erdogan's treatment of Kurds, support for Hamas, and suppression of political opponents.
• Iran faces severe economic hardship due to U.S. sanctions and a naval blockade, with inflation expected to reach 70%, significant job losses, and soaring prices for basic goods, worsening the living conditions of Iranian families.
• The Pentagon updated its casualty figures, adding 60 wounded U.S. service members in the Middle East since the Iran war began, bringing the total wounded to 756, though details on the incidents remain unclear.