Tehran, May 29 (RHC)-- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman says the United States must admit defeat and start respecting the Iranian nation instead of further humiliating itself.  "We do shatter your max pressure campaign with maximum resistance, stiffening resolve and reliance on the national capabilities,” said Abbas Mousavi in a tweet on Thursday night, addressing US officials.

“It is you who face a choice: either admit defeat and start respecting the Iranian Nation or further keep being hated, humiliating and isolating yourselves,” he added.

He made the remarks in reaction to Wednesday comments made by US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook, who claimed President Donald Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy is giving Iran a choice between negotiating with the United States or managing what he called “economic collapse” caused by U.S. sanctions.

“Because of our pressure, Iran’s leaders are facing a decision: Either negotiate with us or manage economic collapse,” Hook told reporters during a conference call.  In May 2018, Trump unilaterally pulled his country out of the multilateral Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in defiance of global criticism.

Ever since withdrawing from the agreement, Washington has launched a so-called maximum pressure campaign against Tehran, seeking to pressure it with a growing list of widespread sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic.

Tehran has responded to the sanctions and the failure of JCPOA signatories – specifically Britain, France and Germany – to protect the deal by gradually suspending its own commitments to the nuclear accord.

Iran has, however, repeatedly announced its readiness to resume fulfilling its commitments if sanctions are removed.  Washington has, however, pressed ahead with the campaign.