Iran Threatens US with 'Economic War' and Advanced Missiles
Iran has threatened the United States with an ‘economic war’ and stated that it has deployed advanced missiles against US warships on Tuesday (8/9). On the same day, the Iran-backed Houthi group attacked several cities in Saudi Arabia, injuring 73 people, while the strikes also triggered fires and the temporary suspension of operations at several energy facilities.
The Iranian threat emerges as the conflict between the two nations enters its sixth month. Tensions have escalated following a period of lull, with Iran continuing to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil and gas supplies.
Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, stated that Washington has received warnings via Iran’s new missiles. He asserted that economic warfare would be met with the creation of a maritime exclusion zone in the Persian Gulf.
“In recent days, Washington has received clear warnings from Iran’s new missiles. Economic warfare will be responded to with a maritime exclusion zone across the Persian Gulf up to the blockade perimeter. The operational posture against US warships and bases has been fundamentally recalibrated,” Rezaei stated via X.
Rezaei previously indicated that this new restriction zone would begin where the US blockade against Iran commences and extend to several regions in the Gulf. Any vessel entering this area, he noted, would be added to Iran’s sanctions list.
Rezaei is believed to be referring to the Qassem Basir ballistic missile, which Iranian media claims was fired at a US warship near the Strait of Hormuz. The US military stated that its warship successfully evaded the missile attack.
On Sunday (6/9), Iranian state media reported that Iran utilised the Qassem Basir missile in attacks against several US vessels. Iran described the missile as an upgraded version with enhanced manoeuvrability to evade missile defence systems and effective guidance capabilities against electronic warfare.
Meanwhile, on Saturday (5/9), the US attacked three Iranian oil tankers, marking the latest development in a series of retaliatory actions between the two parties.
Amidst these tensions, the Iran-backed Houthi group attacked several Saudi Arabian cities. The Saudi-led coalition command reported that attacks in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan, and Najran injured at least 73 people.
Houthi media, Ansarollah, claimed the group targeted several sites in Saudi Arabia, including Abha International Airport, King Khalid Air Base, and Aramco energy facilities in Abha and Jizan.
The Saudi Ministry of Energy stated that several energy sector facilities and installations in the southern region were targeted. “The attacks caused fires in several locations, resulting in the temporary suspension of some operations,” a source from the Saudi Ministry of Energy was quoted as saying by the Saudi Press Agency.
The Ministry added that firefighters and emergency response teams were deployed to manage the fires and assess the extent of the damage. The coalition joint command stated that the attacks targeted both civilian and economic locations.
Saudi Arabia has vowed to respond to the attacks. The Saudi Foreign Ministry called for an “immediate cessation of all forms of escalation by this militia,” including attacks on shipping.
The Houthi attacks follow allegations made on Monday that Riyadh attacked parts of Yemen. Houthi-affiliated Almasirah television reported attacks on a prison in Al-Hazm that killed 11 people, with 20 detainees missing under the rubble.
AFP reported that fighting near the Red Sea coast in recent days has killed over 300 people and displaced hundreds of families. The Houthis are attempting to seize territory bordering the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a critical southern entrance to the Red Sea for Saudi oil exports, amidst Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has stated it will announce a new restriction zone in the Gulf and a new shipping corridor map for the Strait of Hormuz. It remains unclear when the details of this plan will be released.
Reuters reported that commodity ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed again this week. Iran maintains missile and drone capabilities to threaten tankers passing through the strait without permission and to attack Gulf nations hosting US military bases.
US President Donald Trump stated that oil prices would drop sharply if the United States wins the war against Iran. “Oil prices will drop drastically… when we WIN the war against Iran. Three dollars per gallon, but eventually below two dollars per gallon,” Trump posted on social media.
Reuters reported that Iranian leaders remain in power, demanding the easing of sanctions and hoping to eventually collect fees from vessels using the Strait of Hormuz.