Iran's New Security Chief Warns Gulf Neighbors: Joining Trump's Economic War Makes Them 'Enemies'

Iran's new national security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, warned Gulf neighbors on Saturday not to join Washington's economic pressure campaign, saying Tehran would view participating countries as enemies and target their interests.

The former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps made the remarks on state broadcaster IRIB, as cited by The Guardian.

Rezaei said neighboring countries that join the "economic war" would be "treated as enemies" and that "we will target their interests." He noted Iran has so far only targeted military sites, but warned this could change if the US imposes further economic sanctions.

Rezaei, a key adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, led the Revolutionary Guards during the Iran-Iraq War. He has held several senior government positions and run unsuccessfully for president multiple times. This month, he succeeded Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.

This is not the new chief's first public statement. Last week, he posted on X that Iran's message was clear: the Strait of Hormuz would reopen once "the US ends its war and blockade" and "releases Iran's frozen assets," and once there is agreement on "a ceasefire across the region, including Lebanon and Gaza."

Rezaei's comments come after President Donald Trump's latest efforts to isolate Iran economically. Trump has said countries doing business with Tehran would face severe economic consequences. He has repeatedly referred to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil shipments, as "new American territory," a claim with no legal basis.

The latest warning deepens long-standing uncertainty in the Gulf region, with no signs of improvement. The strait remains a vital chokepoint for one-fifth of global oil supply, keeping crude markets on edge.

Tensions have now escalated further. The UAE has suspended trade with Iran, while France and Saudi Arabia are preparing to discuss pipeline and rail alternatives to bypass the strait.