The new leader of Iran’s top security body is threatening neighbours against joining new U.S. efforts to squeeze Tehran’s economy.
Araghchi confirmed the call. Mohsen Rezaei was named this month as part of senior appointments widely seen as hardening Tehran’s political and military stance. Mr. U.S. Iran has lived under sanctions for years. Mr. Mr. Mr. Separately, Mr.
Iran asserted control over what was seen as an international waterway shortly after the U.S. and Israel attacked on February 28.
“If (Trump) wants to do something, we will retaliate in a seismic manner,” he said in an interview with the state broadcaster that aired on Saturday (August 23, 2026). Rezaei said Iran would target oil-shipping routes out of the Persian Gulf – alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz – if neighbours join what he described as the economic war against Iran. Those neighbours would be considered enemies and “we will target their interests,” he said. President Donald Trump in the past week has vowed to increase Iran’s pain by imposing an “unprecedented” level of economic warfare and isolation. Rezaei said discussions with Oman, located on the other side of the strait, over management of it were ongoing, and said fees would be imposed. The top diplomats for Egypt and Iran discussed efforts to bring Tehran and Washington back to the negotiating table to settle the war, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty also discussed the Iranian-Omani talks, the ministry said. Araghchi briefed Egypt’s Foreign Minister about “Iran’s view of ongoing developments, the course of negotiations and their challenges,” the Ministry said, without elaborating. Araghchi said he had a call with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir.
His interview with IRIB is his most extensive public statement since then.
