Iran has warned countries against joining the United States’ campaign to impose economic restrictions on Tehran, saying governments that participate in the measures could be treated as adversaries and face retaliation against their interests.
Mohsen Rezai, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, issued the warning on Saturday as Washington intensified efforts to isolate the Iranian economy and encouraged other countries to support the sanctions campaign.
“We declare to all countries… do not join the economic war waged by the United States,” Rezai said in remarks broadcast on Iranian state television.
He warned that countries that participate in economic restrictions against Iran would be regarded as enemies.
“Any country participating in the imposition of economic restrictions against us is considered an enemy,” he said.
Rezai further warned that governments that refuse to distance themselves from Washington could see their interests targeted by Iran.
The Iranian official said Tehran had not yet targeted American economic interests, arguing that its military actions so far had focused on U.S. military facilities.
“So far, we have only targeted military bases,” he said, adding that Iran could change its approach if Washington proceeded with broader economic sanctions.
Rezai said American oil and other economic interests operating in the region could become targets if sanctions were imposed.
“If they want to impose economic sanctions on us, the United States has oil and economic companies around Iran and elsewhere, and we will strike them,” he said.
He also warned that any further escalation by President Donald Trump could trigger a significantly broader confrontation.
“Should Trump take action, our confrontation will be like an earthquake,” Rezai said.
The warning comes as the United States seeks wider international participation in its campaign to restrict Iran’s access to global trade and financial networks. Washington has particularly urged China to support efforts to isolate Tehran.
China, however, has criticised the U.S. approach, maintaining that sanctions would not provide a solution to the wider Middle East conflict.
Beijing remains one of Iran’s most important economic partners and a major buyer of Iranian crude, making its position particularly significant for the effectiveness of any expanded sanctions regime.
The United Arab Emirates has already taken a more restrictive position towards Tehran. Abu Dhabi announced on Tuesday that it was suspending trade and financial transactions with Iran until further notice, adding another layer of pressure on Iran’s regional economic relationships.
Iran’s latest warning raises the possibility that an expansion of U.S.-led sanctions could widen the conflict beyond military targets and into commercial, financial and energy interests across the region.
The threat also comes amid continuing uncertainty around regional energy infrastructure and shipping routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, where any further escalation could affect crude shipments and add fresh volatility to global oil markets.