On August 22nd, local time, the Tasnim News Agency reported that Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, warned that if regional countries joined the United States in imposing sanctions against Iran, Iran would not only target oil carriers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, but also attack other oil transportation routes in the Persian Gulf region.
"We are warning all neighboring countries to refrain from joining the economic war launched by the United States against Iran; otherwise, Tehran will view it as an enemy." He said.
He added that if neighboring countries join the United States in its sanctions, “not a single drop of oil will be able to be transported out of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.” In such a situation, Iran “will target other oil export routes in the region.”
Rezaie said that Iran does not want conflicts to spread. He said, “But if Iran’s neighbors support the economic warfare launched by the United States, Tehran will harm their interests.”
Previously, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced on August 20 local time that the United States would impose “the most severe financial sanctions in history” against Iran, with the goal of overthrowing Iran’s leadership. Mnuchin stated that the detailed details of this proposed sanctions will be announced on August 24 local time.
On August 21 local time, Iran stated that if the United States makes another threat, Iran will respond in a “devastating” manner.
