Iran Threatens Retaliation Against U.S. Economic Interests in Gulf if Sanctions Are Imposed
The Iranian official also threatened to target American economic interests in the region if the United States proceeds with further economic sanctions against Tehran.
Iran has warned countries against joining the United States in imposing economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic, saying any government that participates in Washington’s economic campaign would be regarded as an enemy.
The warning was issued on Saturday by Mohsen Rezai, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, amid growing pressure from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to isolate Iran economically.
Speaking on Iranian state television, Rezai urged countries not to participate in what he described as an American “economic war” against Tehran.
“We declare to all countries… do not join the economic war waged by the United States,” Rezai said.
“Any country participating in the imposition of economic restrictions against us is considered an enemy,” he added.
Rezai warned that countries that refuse to distance themselves from Washington could face retaliation, saying Iran would take measures to harm their interests.
The Iranian official also threatened to target American economic interests in the region if the United States proceeds with further economic sanctions against Tehran.
According to Rezai, Iran had so far focused its attacks on American military installations and had not targeted U.S. economic interests.
“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 said.
He further warned that any direct action by Trump could trigger a much wider confrontation.
“Should Trump take action, our confrontation will be like an earthquake,” Rezai said.
The warning comes as Washington seeks to persuade other countries to support its efforts to isolate the Iranian economy, including China, one of Tehran’s most important strategic and trading partners.
Beijing, however, has criticised the U.S. initiative, arguing that additional sanctions would not resolve the wider conflict in the Middle East.
Iran’s warning also comes amid pressure on countries with significant economic ties to Tehran. The United Arab Emirates, one of Iran’s major trading partners, announced on Tuesday that it was suspending all trade and financial transactions with Tehran until further notice.
The developments have raised concerns over the potential economic consequences of the confrontation, particularly for businesses and countries operating in the Gulf region.
Iran’s latest threat suggests that any expansion of the U.S. economic campaign could lead Tehran to broaden its response beyond military targets to American commercial and energy interests, as well as the interests of countries that actively participate in sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
