Iran Threatens Action Over Oil Routes if Neighbors Back US Pressure

Iran threatens action over oil routes if neighboring countries support US in upping economic pressure on Tehran. Iran’s new top security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, warned neighboring countries against joining Washington’s campaign to squeeze Tehran’s economy, threatening retaliation and saying their interests could become targets.

Rezaei said Iran could target oil-shipping routes outside the Strait of Hormuz if neighboring countries join what he described as an economic war against Tehran. Such countries would be considered enemies, he said, adding, “we will target their interests”, as quoted by AP.

His warning comes after US President Donald Trump vowed to impose an “unprecedented” level of economic warfare and isolation on Iran, which has faced sanctions for years. “If (Trump) wants to do something, we will retaliate in a seismic manner,” Rezaei added in an interview with state broadcaster IRIB that aired Saturday.

Rezaei also warned the US against sending additional military personnel to the region and accused Washington of increasing global nuclear insecurity. He said Iran would also make changes to its diplomacy and develop new capabilities for what he called the next war.

The threats came as diplomatic efforts continued elsewhere. Egypt’s foreign minister discussed attempts to revive US-Iran negotiations with his Iranian counterpart, while Iraq and Iran said Tehran had facilitated the passage of some Iraqi oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. France and Saudi Arabia are also expected to discuss alternative routes around the waterway, while Israel carried out strikes in Syria and Gaza.