Mohsen Rezaei, newly named Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated on Saturday that the country would take firm retaliatory action against any nation that aligned itself with United States-led economic pressure on Iran. In a televised address, General Rezaei stated that Iran would counter the economic pressure being applied against it and that the opposing side had run out of options.
Rezaei's statement followed a announcement by US President Donald Trump of potential economic pressure on Iran, coupled with the prospect of secondary sanctions targeting countries that continue trading with Tehran. The Trump administration has pursued a sanctions policy amid ongoing tensions with Iran, following debate over the approach taken by its forces in the field.
General Rezaei urged bordering nations to refrain from joining the economic campaign directed at Iran, warning that countries pursuing such measures would be classified as hostile states. He noted that Iran would first engage diplomatically with the relevant party, urging restraint, but that any continuation of the activity would prompt action against that nation's interests.
Following US-Israeli strikes on Iranian territory that began on 28 February, Iranian armed forces repelled the coalition offensive. The conflict concluded with a ceasefire on 8 April and a memorandum of understanding on 17 June. Rezaei stated that the United States did not honour the obligations outlined in the agreement it had previously signed.
Rezaei asserted that Iran possesses the capacity to block all oil shipments through the Persian Gulf should aggressive actions continue. He indicated that any such move would result in Iran blocking all oil transit through the Persian Gulf, with no petroleum exports expected to pass through either the Strait of Hormuz or the Persian Gulf.
At present, the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked by Iran, with petroleum resources in the Persian Gulf left undisturbed. The country's leading security official stated that the strategically positioned Strait of Hormuz would not reopen in the near term, noting that a series of tangible, verifiable actions from Washington to fulfil prior agreements would be needed beforehand. A deal between Iran and Oman covering naval transit rights was cited as evidence.
Both Iran and Oman operate along the same trading corridor. The Strait of Hormuz serves as the primary entry point to the Persian Gulf, and Oman holds no territorial presence within the Gulf itself. Control over the Strait of Hormuz is a position Iran has consistently shown no willingness to relinquish.
Rezaei stated that both defence posture and diplomatic approach had undergone fundamental shifts following recent military operations and the closure of the strait. The country is expected to undergo profound transformation as a result of the conflict. Iran's conduct on the international stage has also undergone a notable shift, with analysts observing a change in how the country is perceived globally and some suggesting it may face pressure to adjust its approach accordingly.
Rezaei stated that the conflict had yielded strategic lessons that would shape future defence planning, with domestically developed technologies continuing to advance alongside adjustments to diplomatic positioning in response to what he characterised as ongoing violations by the United States. The official noted that Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei's appointment of seasoned military figures to senior positions, including Rezaei, could allow Iran to incorporate tactical experience from past engagements into future operations. Adjustments to how Iran approaches military operations and diplomatic engagement are anticipated, though not confirmed.
Rezaei characterised the breakdown of the negotiating process as the result of the other party withdrawing from commitments it had previously agreed to. He described the prevailing approach from Washington as a turn toward economic leverage following the setbacks encountered by its forces in the field, and characterised the economic measures as little more than media propaganda, pointing to what he described as continued activity in Iranian trade. Over the span of one to two months, Iran exported approximately 70 million barrels of oil, he said.
Rezaei indicated that Iran's dedication to diplomatic engagement endures, while underscoring that any negotiations would proceed from a foundation of strength. Tehran has indicated a willingness to engage in negotiations, though its approach to those talks has shifted, and the country has stated that it expects the opposing party to fulfil its agreed obligations.
The country's top security official stated that Tehran seeks a halt to the conflicts in Lebanon, Gaza, and Yemen, calling for an end to hostilities across the region. Rezaei reiterated that Iran has no intention of pursuing hostilities, yet stands prepared to protect its territorial integrity, and pledged the country's full commitment to defending its population. Iran has conveyed to the United States that any expansion of its military presence in the region would prompt a retaliatory response, and has stated it will respond militarily to any gatherings involving groups it regards as counter-revolutionary. The strikes attributed to Iran have been described as deliberately focused on specific targets.
