The newly appointed head of Irans Supreme National Security Council has issued a stark warning to neighboring countries, threatening retaliation against any state that joins Washingtons escalating campaign to economically isolate Tehran.
Mohsen Rezaei, named this month as part of senior appointments widely seen as hardening Irans political and military stance, said in an interview with state broadcaster IRIB that any neighbor participating in US sanctions would be considered an enemy. If Trump wants to do something, we will retaliate in a seismic manner, he said.
Threats Extend Beyond Hormuz
Rezaei went further than past Iranian rhetoric by targeting alternative shipping routes out of the Persian Gulf – pathways that countries and energy firms have been exploring to bypass the contested Strait of Hormuz. We will target their interests, he said of neighbors who cooperate with what he described as US economic warfare.
His comments came as US President Donald Trump vowed to impose an unprecedented level of economic pressure on Iran. The Trump administration has spent the past week escalating threats of economic isolation against Tehran, which has lived under varying degrees of sanctions for decades.
Rezaei also said discussions with Oman over management of the Strait of Hormuz were ongoing, confirming that Iran intends to impose transit fees on vessels using the waterway. Iran asserted control over the strait shortly after US and Israeli strikes on February 28 triggered the current conflict.
Nuclear Insecurity Warning
In his most extensive public statement since taking the role, Rezaei accused the United States of increasing global nuclear insecurity through months of military operations. He argued that the attacks demonstrated to other nations that participating in international monitoring frameworks offers no protection against military strikes.
He also warned the US against sending additional military personnel to the region, and vowed to reshape Irans diplomatic posture and bring new capabilities to what he called the next phase of the conflict.
The threats came as Egypts top diplomats held discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi about reviving negotiations between Tehran and Washington. Araghchi also spoke with Pakistans army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, about regional stability.
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