Iran has warned that it could stop all oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and elsewhere in the Persian Gulf if the United States continues its economic campaign against Tehran.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei issued the warning as Washington prepared to announce fresh sanctions targeting Iran and countries that continue to trade with it.
“If the economic war continues, not a single drop of oil will be exported, neither through the Strait of Hormuz nor from anywhere in the Persian Gulf,” Rezaei said in a post on X, according to news agency ANI.
He also warned that Iran would consider any country supporting or participating in the US economic campaign against Tehran to be committing an “act of war.”
US prepares fresh sanctions
The warning came as the US prepared what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described as a major new financial offensive against Iran. Reuters reported that Bessent was scheduled to hold a press conference on Monday to announce further economic measures.
In an opinion piece published in the Financial Times, Bessent called the planned action “the single greatest financial offensive ever marshalled against an adversary".
Washington has not disclosed the full details of the measures but has indicated that countries continuing economic and financial ties with Tehran could face pressure.
Iran widens warning to other countries
Rezaei’s remarks also put other nations on notice.
“Iran will regard any country’s participation in or support for America’s economic war against the Iranian people as an act of war,” he said.
Reuters reported that Bessent had previously called on China to cooperate with Washington, pointing to its dependence on oil imports from the Gulf. China’s embassy in Washington said that “sanctions and pressure do not help resolve the problem” and urged diplomacy.
Hormuz remains key pressure point
The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a major flashpoint in the confrontation. Reuters reported that shipping through the waterway has been severely disrupted, while Iran retains missile and drone capabilities that could threaten Gulf neighbours and oil tankers.
The disruption has added pressure to global fuel prices as Iran faces economic strain, damaged infrastructure and rebuilding costs following US and Israeli attacks.
Meanwhile, the US and Iran have not carried out military strikes against each other for weeks, but meaningful talks to end the six-month-old conflict have also not taken place.