Iran warns nearby nations against joining US ‘economic war’ efforts

The warning comes as US President Donald Trump threatens to isolate Iran economically, to weaken its government.Iran has threatened to treat nearby countries as enemies and target their interests if they join a United States campaign to cripple its economy.Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, issued the warning in a Saturday interview with state broadcaster IRIB.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Iranian president says time to end war with US from ‘position of strength’list 2 of 3Iran says new US sanctions violate sovereignty of other stateslist 3 of 3Iran grants permission for some Iraqi oil tankers to pass through Hormuzend of list“We’re telling all nearby countries not to join the US economic war. Otherwise, we will consider them as enemies,” Rezaei told IRIB.His remarks come on the heels of escalating economic threats from the administration of US President Donald Trump.On Wednesday, Trump announced his government would undertake the “most crushing economic operation” yet against Iran, as part of ongoing hostilities between the two countries.The US and Israel have been locked in a war with Iran since February 28, when the two allies launched an initial volley of attacks against Tehran.In addition to threatening Iran’s economy this week, Trump pledged “tremendous economic consequences” for any country that gives Iran “any type of lifeline”.His Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, echoed his threats the following day, saying, “You’re either with us or against us.”In Saturday’s interview, Rezaei described Iran’s regional strategy as a three-stage sequence, which would start with efforts to de-escalate tensions with neighbouring countries.“First we negotiate. Then, we try to separate them from America with pleasant language, because we are not really looking to expand the war,” he said.Any countries that continue to side with the US would then be given time to reconsider, he said. “But in the third stage, we will definitely act.”