In Tehran, Authorities Have Received Trump's New Threat As a Challenge in Iran

Iran's top security official warned that any country joining the US-led "economic war" against the Islamic Republic will be considered an "enemy, threatening to target oil export routes beyond the Strait of Hormuz. Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei, a former commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Guard, made the remarks in an interview with state television late on Saturday. "We tell all neighboring countries not to join the economic war against Iran.

Anyone who does so will be considered an enemy country, he said. "First, we will negotiate with them and ask them not to do it; if they continue, we will take measures against that country. Rezaei also threatened to attack US economic interests if Washington proceeds with new financial measures against Iran, as announced.

"We have not attacked any US economic interest. So far, we have only attacked military bases, but if they intend to impose economic sanctions on us, the United States owns oil and economic companies in the region, and we will attack them, he said. The warning comes after US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday what he called an "economic D-Day" against Iran — described as the most devastating economic operation ever undertaken against any country — to end a war approaching six months.

Washington has not yet detailed the new measures, but Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned countries providing any vital aid to Iran they would face economic consequences. In Tehran, authorities have received Trump's new threat as a challenge. On Saturday, government members conveyed that Iran can withstand the announced economic D-Day and will not change its stance on the war nor reopen Hormuz, despite the country's poor financial situation with soaring inflation and rising unemployment.

Among Iran's main trading partners are China, which buys around 90% of Iranian oil at a reduced price, and the United Arab Emirates, which this week announced the suspension of all commercial relations, trade exchanges and financial transactions with the country. The Islamic Republic has been under US and international economic sanctions for decades, including a ban on selling its oil in international markets — measures that have severely damaged the country but have not managed to bend Tehran.