In a video message regarding "illegal, draconian" U.S. sanctions, Foreign Minister Zarif posited that "today, we and our partners across the globe will ensure that our people are least affected by this indiscriminate assault in the economic warfare that directly targets the Iranian people". "President Trump's predecessors also began crafting their Iran policy with similar bravado", Zarif asserted, "but came around to accepting and respecting the reality of Iran as they became more experienced in office".