A senior Iranian security official on Saturday, 23 August issued a stark warning to neighbouring countries and other states, cautioning them against aligning with the United States in its escalating “economic pressure campaign” against Tehran — and threatening to treat any such country as an “enemy.”

The Warning from Tehran

Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, told state broadcaster IRIB TV that Tehran would first pursue dialogue with any country considering participation in what he described as the US “economic war” against Iran. However, he made clear that if those countries pressed ahead regardless, Iran would move to target their interests.

Rezaei went further, warning that Tehran would not permit oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf if regional countries sided with the US pressure campaign. He added that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until Washington fulfilled its commitments under a peace memorandum of understanding reportedly signed between the two countries in June.

What Triggered the Escalation

Rezaei’s remarks came in direct response to US President Donald Trump’s announcement on Wednesday of what he called “the most crushing economic operation ever taken” against any country providing support to Iran. “This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

This is not the first time Washington has escalated pressure on Tehran — it follows years of sanctions rounds, “maximum pressure” campaigns, and demands for “unconditional surrender”, none of which, Iranian officials argue, have achieved their stated objectives.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Pushes Back

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi dismissed the latest US move as destined for failure, drawing a pointed historical parallel on social media platform X. “14 years ago: ‘Most crippling sanctions in history.’ Failed. 8 years ago: ‘Maximum pressure.’ Failed. 5 months ago: ‘Unconditional surrender.’ Failed. Today: ‘Most crushing economic operation ever.’ Bound to fail,” Araghchi posted.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi echoed the defiance, saying the US label of “economic war” was an attempt to obscure Washington’s previous failures. According to reports citing Iran’s official news agency, Gharibabadi noted that while the United States publicly claims Iran is “on the verge of collapse,” it is simultaneously reaching out to all its allies for assistance — a contradiction, he argued, that reveals the limits of US leverage.

The Strait of Hormuz: A Critical Pressure Point

The threat to restrict passage through the Strait of Hormuz carries significant geopolitical weight. The strait is a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, with roughly 20% of the world’s traded crude passing through it. Any disruption would have immediate consequences for energy markets and for regional economies dependent on Gulf shipping lanes.

This comes amid a broader pattern of Iranian brinkmanship around the strait during periods of heightened US-Iran tension, suggesting Tehran is calibrating its response to maximise pressure on third-party states while keeping direct military confrontation off the table — for now.

What Happens Next

The standoff raises the stakes for countries in the region and beyond that maintain economic ties with both Iran and the United States. With Tehran explicitly threatening to target the interests of nations that cooperate with the US campaign, governments in the Gulf, South Asia, and Central Asia face heightened pressure to declare their positions. How those countries respond in the coming weeks will likely shape the next phase of the US-Iran confrontation.