Iran’s new security chief says neighbours who join US economic war will be considered ‘enemies’

Iran's new security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, issued a stern warning to neighboring countries, threatening to target their interests if they join the United States in its economic pressure campaign against Tehran. Rezaei, who recently took the helm of Iran's supreme national security council, stated that any neighbor aligning with the U.S. "economic war" would be considered an "enemy."

Speaking on state television, Rezaei, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, elaborated that Iran would target oil-shipping routes if its neighbors participated in the U.S. sanctions. He also noted that Iran has so far refrained from attacking U.S. economic interests, focusing instead on military bases. However, he suggested that this could change if the U.S. persists with economic sanctions, implying that American oil and economic companies around Iran could become targets.

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Those neighbours would be “considered an enemy” and “we will target their interests”.

Rezaei's remarks come as the U.S. under President Donald Trump intensifies efforts to isolate Iran's economy. Trump has threatened "tremendous economic consequences" for any country doing business with Tehran. Despite these U.S. efforts, some partners, like China, have criticized the initiative, arguing that sanctions will not resolve the regional conflict. The United Arab Emirates, a significant trading partner, recently announced the suspension of all trade and financial transactions with Tehran.

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So far, we have only targeted military bases, but if they want to impose economic sanctions on us, the United States has oil and economic companies around Iran and elsewhere, and we will strike them.