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🇶🇦 Qatar /Conflict & Security

Iran warns nearby nations against joining US ‘economic war’ efforts

From Al Jazeera · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Iran has warned neighboring countries against joining U.S. economic pressure campaigns, threatening to treat them as enemies.
  • The warning follows escalating economic threats from the Trump administration aimed at isolating Iran.
  • Iran's strategy involves de-escalation, negotiation, and ultimately, decisive action if neighbors align with U.S. economic warfare.

Iran has issued a stern warning to its neighboring nations, threatening to consider them enemies and target their interests if they participate in the United States' campaign to cripple Iran's economy. The declaration comes amid escalating economic threats from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who aims to isolate Iran economically.

We’re telling all nearby countries not to join the US economic war. Otherwise, we will consider them as enemies

— Mohsen RezaeiThe secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council issued the warning in an interview with state broadcaster IRIB.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, articulated the warning in an interview with state broadcaster IRIB. "We’re telling all nearby countries not to join the US economic war. Otherwise, we will consider them as enemies," Rezaei stated. This statement follows Trump's announcement of the "most crushing economic operation" against Iran and threats of "tremendous economic consequences" for any country aiding Iran.

You’re either with us or against us.

— Scott BessentThe U.S. Treasury secretary echoed the administration's stance on countries dealing with Iran.

Rezaei outlined Iran's regional strategy as a three-stage process. It begins with de-escalation and negotiation, aiming to separate neighboring countries from the U.S. through diplomatic engagement. If these initial steps fail, countries will be given time to reconsider their stance. However, Rezaei warned that in the third stage, Iran "will definitely act." The U.S. strategy, he suggested, relies on economic pressure to fracture Iranian society and force an end to hostilities, a tactic Iran believes could incite internal protests.

First we negotiate. Then, we try to separate them from America with pleasant language, because we are not really looking to expand the war

— Mohsen RezaeiRezaei described the initial stages of Iran's regional strategy in dealing with neighboring countries.

Negotiations to end the conflict have stalled, with a recent memorandum of understanding failing to secure a permanent cessation of military operations. Control over the Strait of Hormuz remains a significant point of contention, impacting global oil prices. The U.S. Treasury secretary echoed the administration's stance, stating, "You’re either with us or against us."

But in the third stage, we will definitely act.

— Mohsen RezaeiRezaei outlined the potential consequences for countries that do not de-escalate their alignment with the U.S.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Al Jazeera. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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