Iran has warned nearby countries not to join the United States in its economic campaign against Tehran. The warning was issued as the dispute between Washington and Tehran entered another tense stage on August 23, 2026.
Mohsen Rezaei, the new secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said countries that take part in the US economic campaign could be treated as enemies. His warning was aimed at countries in the region that may help Washington enforce its pressure on Iran.
The statement comes after the United States increased pressure on Iran. President Donald Trump has promised tougher action against Tehran and has urged other countries to support efforts to isolate the Iranian economy. Washington wants to reduce Iran’s ability to sell oil and maintain trade links with other nations.
Iran sees the campaign as a direct threat. Tehran has rejected the US measures and called them illegal. Iranian officials say Washington is trying to weaken the country through economic pressure rather than diplomacy.
The warning to neighboring countries is important because Iran has close economic and political ties across the region. Several states depend on trade with Iran or have major links to its energy markets. Any decision to join US restrictions could create a difficult choice for those governments.
Rezaei said Iran would consider countries that support the US campaign to be enemies. He also warned that Iran could target the interests of states that take part in the pressure effort. The comments raise concern that the economic dispute could spread beyond the United States and Iran.
The warning also comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains at the heart of the crisis. The waterway is a major route for oil and gas shipments. Iran has claimed control over access to the strait during the conflict. The United States, however, says the waterway should remain open.
President Trump added to the tension on Sunday by sharing an image that called the Strait of Hormuz “NEW US Territory.” It was the second time in recent days that Trump shared the image. Iran has rejected the claim and said the strait will remain closed under its current position.
The economic risks are large. Iran depends heavily on oil exports, while many countries depend on Gulf energy supplies. Any major disruption can affect fuel prices, shipping costs and wider trade. Businesses around the world may face higher costs if the crisis lasts.
The United States is also trying to make its economic campaign stronger. Washington has warned countries that continue to maintain important links with Tehran that they could face economic consequences. The goal is to make Iran more isolated and force its leaders to change course.
Iran has shown no sign of accepting those demands. Its latest warning suggests that Tehran is prepared to increase pressure on countries that help Washington. That could make diplomacy harder at a time when both sides already have limited trust.
The growing dispute also creates risks for countries that want to avoid taking sides. Regional governments must balance their relations with the United States against their trade and security ties with Iran. A wider economic conflict could place them under pressure from both sides.
The warning issued on August 23 therefore has significance beyond Iran. It shows that the US pressure campaign is now affecting regional relations. As Washington pushes for greater economic isolation and Tehran threatens those who cooperate, the risk of a wider confrontation continues to grow.
