Iran warns of blocking all Persian Gulf oil if U.S. imposes sanctions

Iran has issued a stark warning, threatening to block all oil exports from the Persian Gulf if the United States proceeds with economic sanctions. Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary General of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated in an interview with Iranian state television that any U.S. action would be met with a "earthquake-like" response.

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If the United States takes any action, our response will be earthquake-like.

Rezaei explicitly stated that if the U.S. initiates economic warfare, Iran would not only target the Strait of Hormuz but also other routes through which crude oil leaves the Persian Gulf. He urged regional and global nations not to participate in economic warfare against Iran, warning that any country joining the sanctions would be considered an enemy. While not specifying the alternative routes, Rezaei's remarks allude to pipelines from Saudi Arabia and the UAE that bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

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Do not join the economic war against us. All countries that participate in imposing economic sanctions on us will be considered by us as enemy countries.

Furthermore, Rezaei suggested that U.S. actions have inadvertently fueled a global desire for nuclear weapons. He argued that if a compliant nation like Iran faces attack, other countries might feel compelled to develop nuclear capabilities for self-protection. He criticized the U.S. for attacking Iran despite its adherence to international agreements like the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the 2015 JCPOA, calling President Trump's actions foolish and counterproductive. Rezaei also mentioned an agreement with Oman to keep the central shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz open, contingent on U.S. fulfillment of its obligations.

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If they start this, we will not let a single drop of oil leave the Persian Gulf, not just through the Strait of Hormuz.