Iranian security chief threatens to halt Gulf oil exports over US sanctions

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei has threatened to prevent oil exports through the Gulf if regional countries participate in a new US economic sanctions campaign against Tehran.

Speaking to Iranian state media, Rezaei said any country joining Washington’s economic measures would be regarded by Tehran as an “enemy” and warned that Iran could respond by disrupting regional energy exports.

“If they start such an action, we will not allow a single drop of oil to pass through the Gulf,” Rezaei was quoted as saying. “Oil will not leave through the Strait of Hormuz or the Persian Gulf.”

According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Rezaei also warned that alternative routes used to transport oil outside the Gulf could become targets if the confrontation escalates.

His comments came ahead of an expected announcement by US President Donald Trump’s administration of a broad new package of economic measures against Iran.

The warning raises the prospect of further disruption to the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important route for global energy supplies. Maritime traffic through the waterway has already been severely affected by months of US-Iran hostilities and attacks on commercial shipping.