Iran Issues Warning: Neighbors Face Consequences For US Economic Campaign
Iran has issued a strong warning to its neighboring countries. It told them not to join the United States’ efforts to weaken Iran’s economy. Mohsen Rezaei gave this warning. He is the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Mr. Rezaei spoke to state broadcaster IRIB on Saturday. He said Iran would see countries helping the US as enemies. Iran would also target their interests. US President Donald Trump aims to isolate Iran economically. This is to weaken its government.
President Trump announced new economic actions on Wednesday. He called them the “most crushing” operations against Iran. These actions are part of ongoing tensions between the two countries. The US and Israel have been in conflict with Iran since February 28.
Mr. Trump also promised “tremendous economic consequences.” These would affect any country that offers Iran “any type of lifeline.” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent agreed with this. He said countries must choose to be “with us or against us.”
Rezaei explained Iran’s plan for the region. It has three steps. First, Iran will try to talk with neighboring countries. Then, it will try to separate them from America with kind words. Iran does not want the conflict to grow.
Countries that still support the US will get time to think again. But in the third stage, Iran “will definitely act.”
The US is also continuing military operations against Iran. Mr. Rezaei believes the Trump administration hopes economic pressure will divide Iran. They hope this will make the conflict end.
Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also spoke on Saturday. It said the new US measures claim power over other countries. This power goes beyond US borders. Iran is also considering targeting US allies in Europe. These countries have supported President Trump’s operations.
Negotiations to end the conflict have stopped. A previous agreement signed on June 17 failed. This agreement called for an end to military actions.
Control of the Strait of Hormuz is a main problem. This strait is an important shipping route near Iran.
Iran stopped traffic through the strait earlier in the conflict. This caused prices for oil and other goods to rise sharply.
Some Middle Eastern countries relied on the strait for their exports. Now, they are looking for new trade routes.
Mr. Rezaei warned that Iran would target these alternative oil shipping routes. This would happen if nearby countries help the US with its economic campaign.
