Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei on Sunday escalated his warnings over the US economic campaign against Tehran, saying countries that assist Washington could be treated as participating in a war against Iran.
“If the economic war continues, not a single drop of oil will be exported, neither through the Strait of Hormuz nor from anywhere in the Persian Gulf," Rezaei wrote on social media.
“Iran will regard any country’s participation in or support for America’s economic war against the Iranian people as an act of war," he added.
The warning came a day after Rezaei issued a similar message, telling countries not to cooperate with Washington's efforts to isolate Iran economically.
"We declare to all countries... do not join the economic war waged by the United States," Rezaei said on Iranian state television.
"Any country participating in the imposition of economic restrictions against us is considered an enemy," he added.
Rezaei also threatened a severe response if President Donald Trump orders military action against Iran.
Should Trump "take action, our confrontation will be like an earthquake," he said.
He maintained that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and said reopening it would depend on Washington changing its policies and meeting its commitments.
“The Strait of Hormuz is closed and will not reopen," Rezaei declared. “If the United States changes its behavior and fulfills its commitments, the equation will be different, but this time the United States must act. It cannot be resolved through words and talks."
The statements follow Trump's announcement Wednesday of a major new economic campaign against Iran. In a Truth Social post, Trump labeled the effort "an economic D-Day" and warned countries that provide Tehran with economic assistance that they would face consequences.
"These maniacs are on the ropes, and these HISTORIC MEASURES will cripple them and their ability to project terror worldwide. IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON," he wrote.
Trump said Friday that the emphasis on economic pressure does not mean military options have been taken off the table.
“No, not at all," the President replied when asked whether the move toward economic warfare meant the military options were limited. “It just means that we’re seeing what happens. They have no money, they have no navy, they have no air force, they have 350% inflation. So we’re just going to sort of see what happens."
“We have total control, as you know, of the border. We have total control, if you look at the blockade, we have total control of that entire region having to do with the Strait of Hormuz. And that means well into it, the land areas," Trump continued.
The president also said Tehran is interested in reaching an agreement with Washington but has yet to agree to what he considers acceptable terms.
He said Iran “would love to make a deal, but they are not ready to make the right deal, in my opinion."