Iran threatens neighboring countries against joining US ‘economic war’

Iran warned neighbouring countries on Saturday against joining the US “economic war,” threatening to target their interests and prevent oil exports from the Gulf if they cooperate with Washington, Anadolu reports.

“We tell all neighbouring countries not to participate in the economic war with the US; otherwise, we will consider them an enemy,” said Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaee, according to state broadcaster IRIB.

“We are not seeking to expand the war, but if the countries surrounding Iran join the Americans in the economic war, we will strike their interests,” he added.

Rezaee warned that if neighbouring countries cooperated with the US campaign, “not a single drop of oil will leave the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz.”

He said Iran would also target other routes used to export oil from the Gulf. “If Trump wants to take action, we will respond in kind with earthquake-like force,” Rezaee said

Rezaee said the Strait of Hormuz remains closed despite US claims to the contrary and would not reopen until Washington “corrects its behaviour.”

“This time, it is the United States that must first fulfil its commitments,” he said.

Rezaee said Iran accounts for more than 50% of the Gulf coastline and that it should therefore manage the Strait of Hormuz.

He added that Iran seeks an end to the war in West Asia and “stands against warmongers around the world.”

US President Donald Trump announced this week his intention to launch “the most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country,” describing his maximum-pressure campaign against Iran as “Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale.”

Iran and the US signed the memorandum of understanding in June through Pakistani and Qatari mediation, ending hostilities that began in February and to pursue negotiations toward a final agreement.

Talks have since stalled amid disputes over implementation of the memorandum and arrangements for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas exports.