Iran Issues Stark Warning to Neighbors Over US Economic Campaign

In a bold declaration, Iran has cautioned neighboring nations against aligning with the United States in its efforts to weaken the Iranian economy. Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, conveyed this stern message during an interview with state broadcaster IRIB on Saturday.

Rezaei's comments follow a series of aggressive economic threats from the Trump administration, which has vowed to execute its most severe economic offensive against Iran yet. President Trump recently announced that any country providing support to Iran would face "tremendous economic consequences."

Rezaei outlined a three-phase approach to Iran's regional strategy, starting with dialogue and attempts to charm neighboring countries away from US influence. He warned that those who remain aligned with the US will be given time to reconsider before facing potential repercussions. "But in the third stage, we will definitely act," he asserted.

The backdrop of these tensions is the ongoing military hostilities between Iran and the US, which escalated following joint attacks by the US and Israel against Iran earlier this year. Control over the critical Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade route, remains a contentious issue, with Iran threatening to target alternative shipping routes if its neighbors cooperate with the US.

Source: www.aljazeera.com