Iran Warns Countries Joining U.S. ‘Economic War’ Will Be Treated as Enemies
Dragon Media News Desk
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has warned that any country participating in the United States’ economic pressure campaign against Tehran will be regarded by Iran as an “enemy.”
In an interview with Iranian state broadcaster IRIB on August 22, Rezaei urged neighboring and regional countries to stay out of the U.S. economic campaign, warning that Iran could act against their interests if they choose to participate.
According to Rezaei, Iran would first hold talks with the countries concerned and ask them not to join the U.S.-led economic campaign. However, if they ignore the request and participate in what Tehran describes as an economic siege, Iran could treat them as hostile and target their interests, he warned.
Rezaei placed particular emphasis on the strategic importance of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, warning that if surrounding countries join the U.S. economic pressure campaign, Iran would not allow “even a single drop of oil” to be exported through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime routes for energy trade. Any further disruption in the area could have serious consequences not only for Gulf oil-producing countries but also for global energy supplies and prices.
Rezaei also said Iran, after years of facing U.S. sanctions, had developed ways to bypass restrictions and continue selling oil and conducting other economic activities.
He reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz would not be fully reopened unless Washington fulfills its commitments under the peace memorandum of understanding reached between Iran and the United States in June. According to Rezaei, the United States must take concrete action first this time before further negotiations can move forward.
His warning came days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new and extensive economic campaign against Iran. On August 19, Trump said Washington would launch what he described as the most severe economic operation ever imposed on a country, aimed at further isolating Iran from international trade and financial networks.
Trump also warned that countries, companies and institutions providing economic or financial assistance to Iran could face serious economic consequences. The new U.S. approach signals increased pressure not only on Tehran but also on third countries and businesses that continue trading with Iran.
The latest developments indicate that the confrontation between the United States and Iran is increasingly extending from the military and diplomatic spheres into economic warfare. Tehran’s direct warning to regional countries, combined with its use of oil transit through Hormuz as leverage, has further heightened concerns over energy security and regional stability in the Gulf.
