Iran Vows Retaliation if US Blocks Oil Exports Amid Escalating Tensions

Iran is warning that it will take countermeasures if the US attempts to block its oil exports. This comes as US officials are stepping up diplomatic efforts to pressure countries to stop importing Iranian oil, according to Reuters.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi said that if America wants to take a serious step in this direction, it will 'definitely be met with a reaction and equal countermeasures from Iran.'

This stance is supported by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who backed President Hassan Rouhani's suggestion that Iran might block Gulf oil exports if its own exports are stopped.

Relations between Tehran and Washington have worsened in recent days, with Iran dismissing an angry warning from President Donald Trump that it risked dire consequences 'the like of which few throughout history have suffered before' if it made threats against the United States.