As the Trump administration prepares to announce significant economic sanctions against Iran, Mohsen Rezaei, the new chairman of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, indicated that not a single drop of oil will be exported from the Gulf region in response.
Rezaei, known for his hardline stance, stated on social media platform X on August 23, "If the economic war continues, not a single drop of oil will be exported, whether through the Strait of Hormuz or elsewhere in the Persian Gulf. Iran will consider any country that participates in or supports the U.S. economic war against the Iranian people as engaging in acts of war."
In an interview with state media reported on August 22, he added, "If Trump does something, we will respond on a massive scale," suggesting potential attacks on alternative oil export routes in the Gulf region.
These remarks come in response to President Trump's announcement last week of impending economic sanctions against Iran. With inflation impacting his administration ahead of the midterm elections, Trump appears to be targeting Iran's oil exports to drive up prices, which could further complicate his political standing.
On August 20, Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social, "No one has given the Islamic Republic of Iran more opportunities than I have, but unfortunately, they failed to seize that opportunity. Therefore, today I am announcing the most severe economic operation against specific countries! This will be an unprecedented economic war and isolation effort." He warned that any country providing lifelines to Iran's financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government agencies would face severe economic consequences, calling it an "economic D-Day" and urging all allies to join the U.S. in isolating and countering the Iranian threat.
Additionally, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Vessenet warned in an interview with CNBC on August 20 that further sanctions following maritime blockades would serve as a "one-two punch" against Iran, indicating that the "harshest sanctions in history" would be announced on August 24. He reiterated this in an interview with the Financial Times, stating, "Iran's economic D-Day is coming."
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, viewed as a moderate, suggested the possibility of a ceasefire during a meeting with doctors on August 22, stating, "It is better to end the war now while we are in a position of strength and dignity."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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