Iran warns countries against joining U.S. "economic pressure campaign"

A senior Iranian security official on Saturday warned neighboring countries and other states against joining the United States in its "economic pressure campaign" against Iran, saying Tehran would regard such countries as "enemies."

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said in an interview with state-run IRIB TV that Iran would first seek dialogue with countries involved and urge them not to participate in what he called the U.S. "economic war" against Iran.

However, if those countries choose to continue, Iran would target their interests, Rezaei said, adding that Tehran would not allow oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf if regional countries support the U.S. "pressure campaign."

Rezaei also said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until the United States fulfills its commitments under a peace memorandum of understanding signed between Tehran and Washington in June.