US Economic War Intensifies, Iran Threatens Countries That Intervene
The Iranian government has warned countries around the world not to join the economic war campaign launched by the United States against it. Tehran stated that any country that participates in imposing economic restrictions on Iran will be considered an enemy.
The warning was delivered as Washington pushed its allies to join US President Donald Trump’s new strategy to isolate Iran’s economy. At the same time, US military operations against Iran were said to be ongoing and approaching their sixth month. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council head Mohsen Rezai delivered the warning on Iranian state television.
“We declare to all countries: do not join the economic war waged by the United States,” Rezai said, as reported by AFP on Sunday (23/8). “Any country that participates in imposing economic restrictions on us will be considered an enemy,” he added.
Rezai also warned countries that choose to continue following Washington’s policies. According to him, if those countries are unwilling to distance themselves from the United States, Iran will take steps that could harm their interests.
Rezai stressed that Iran still has a number of options in dealing with the United States. He even claimed that Tehran has so far not attacked US 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 companies and economic interests around Iran and elsewhere, and we will attack those companies,” Rezai said.
The statement indicated that Iran is open to expanding its targets if Washington increases economic pressure through sanctions.
Rezai also issued a direct warning to Trump regarding the consequences if the US takes further action against Iran. “If Trump takes action, our confrontation will be like an earthquake,” Rezai said.
Previously, Washington asked a number of governments to join efforts to isolate Iran’s economy. China became one of the countries of primary concern to the US because Beijing is one of Tehran’s strategic and trade partners.
However, China rejected the initiative. Beijing criticised Washington’s policy, assessing that US economic sanctions will not resolve the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Amid the pressure, one of Iran’s main trading partners, the United Arab Emirates, took a different step.
On Tuesday (18/8), the UAE announced the suspension of all trade and financial transactions with Iran until further notice. The move could further pressure Iran’s economy, while Tehran is now trying to face a combination of military and economic pressure from Washington.
Rezai’s warning shows that Iran not only views US sanctions as an economic threat, but also warns other countries that their involvement in the campaign could place them on Tehran’s list of parties considered enemies.