23.08.2026 07:40
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, called on countries not to participate in the US economic war against Iran, warning, "Any country that participates in economic sanctions against us will be considered an enemy. If Trump wants to take action, we will respond with a force like an earthquake."
A new statement has come from the Iranian administration regarding the comprehensive economic sanctions operation announced by US President Donald Trump.
Speaking to state television, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei called on countries not to participate in the economic war the US has launched against Iran, saying, "Any country that participates in economic sanctions against us will be considered an enemy."
WARNING TO REGIONAL COUNTRIES: WE WILL STRIKE THEIR INTERESTS
Emphasizing that Iran does not intend to expand the war, Rezaei said, "However, if countries surrounding Iran join the economic war alongside the Americans, we will strike their interests." Rezaei warned that if neighboring countries cooperate with the US on sanctions, "not a single drop of oil will come out of the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz."
"IF TRUMP ACTS, WE WILL RESPOND WITH EARTHQUAKE-LIKE FORCE"
Stating that Iran could target other routes used for oil exports from the Persian Gulf if necessary, Rezaei said, "If Trump wants to act, we will respond in kind with an earthquake-like force." Contrary to the US claim, Rezaei stated that the Strait of Hormuz is closed, saying the strait will not be opened "until the Washington administration corrects its behavior." Noting that Iran should manage the Strait of Hormuz because it constitutes more than 50% of the coastline in the gulf, Rezaei added that they want the war to end and that they are against any warmongering.
TRUMP HAD ANNOUNCED THE SANCTIONS DECISION
US President Donald Trump announced that they had launched the most crushing economic sanctions operation the world has ever seen against Iran, saying, "We need all our allies to stand with the US to isolate Iran and eliminate the threat they pose." Stating that countries that bypass US sanctions on Iran will also pay a price, Trump said, "I am also announcing that countries that allow financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government agencies to serve as lifelines to Iran in any way will face terrible economic consequences."
IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY: SANCTIONS ILLEGAL
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ismail Baghaei, stating that the US decision to impose comprehensive economic sanctions on his country is "clearly contrary to international law," warned, "The ultimate result will be the complete erosion of the right to sovereignty, which is the fundamental pillar of the interstate system centered on the United Nations (UN), and a terrible groundwork for a return to full-scale classical colonialism." Referring to Trump's threat to make countries that bypass sanctions on Iran pay a price, Baghaei said, "No state can force foreign banks, companies, or airports subject to the jurisdiction of another country to abandon their lawful trade with a third state."