Iran vows to respond to US strikes, says US energy companies' facilities are 'exposed'

Iran has said it will step up efforts to tackle problems created by U.S. sanctions that are crippling its economy.

However, the U.S. campaign to throttle Iran's economy by blockading its oil exports and stopping sanctions evasion is growing increasingly difficult to withstand, three senior Iranian sources have said.

Qalibaf said at the weekend that, alongside the military front, Iran’s main battle was now over production and people’s livelihoods, citing currency fluctuations, inflation, unemployment and market management as big challenges.

The conflict has also impacted oil-producing Gulf Arab states such as the United Arab Emirates, which has come under fire from Iranian missiles and suffered attacks on its oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

UAE presidential adviser said on Monday the country was building alternative routes for its energy exports and trade to ensure they are not "held hostage" by the war.