Iran Threatens Gulf Oil Routes Over US Sanctions

Iran's national security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, has threatened to disrupt oil exports from the Persian Gulf if countries in the region cooperate with US President Donald Trump's economic sanctions against Tehran. The warning comes as the US prepares to intensify economic pressure on Iran.

According to Rezaei, countries cannot join America in imposing an economic blockade and harm Iranian interests while continuing to benefit from unrestricted oil flows. He stated that if negotiations fail, 'we will target those routes as well.'

Rezaei also declared that countries assisting Washington's economic pressure campaign would be treated as enemies, saying 'any country that becomes a partner in creating economic restrictions against us will be regarded by us as an enemy.'

The threat raises the prospect of a broader disruption to energy supplies across the Gulf at a time when the Trump administration is preparing to announce its economic plan against Tehran on Monday.