Iran Warns Neighbors Against Joining US Economic Sanctions Campaign

Mohsen Rezaei, the new leader of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warned neighboring countries against participating in the United States' economic war against Iran.

Rezaei stated on state television that any country joining the imposition of economic restrictions would be considered an enemy. He threatened that Iran would harm their interests if they refused to distance themselves from the US. Rezaei was named this month as part of senior appointments widely seen as hardening Tehran’s political and military stance.

US President Donald Trump has vowed to increase Iran’s pain by imposing an unprecedented level of economic warfare and isolation. Rezaei said Iran would target oil-shipping routes out of the Persian Gulf, alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, if neighbors join the economic war. He also claimed Iran had more cards to play, stating, we have not yet attacked any American economic interests.

Rezaei threatened, "So far, we have only targeted military bases, but if they want to impose economic sanctions on us, the United States has oil and economic companies around Iran and elsewhere, and we will strike them." He added that if Trump take action, our confrontation will be like an earthquake. The US has called on other governments to join its efforts to isolate the Iranian economy, including China.

China has criticized the initiative, arguing that US sanctions would not resolve the conflict. The United Arab Emirates, a major trading partner for Iran, announced on Wednesday that it was suspending all trade and financial transactions with Iran until further notice. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to unveil details of a plan designed to shift the conflict to full-blown economic isolation on Monday.