Tehran warns of reciprocal action as US economic pressure intensifies

Iran has warned that any country joining the United States’ economic campaign against Tehran will face “tit-for-tat” action in response. The warning, issued by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, frames the ongoing economic pressure as a critical test of regional loyalty.

Rezaei described the US measures as “economic D-Day,” a rhetorical label used by Iranian officials to characterise the scale of the economic war. While the specific list of nations currently participating in these measures has not been detailed, the threat is explicitly directed at those aligning with Washington’s strategy to cripple the Iranian economy.

The latest remarks follow a broader strategic outline provided by Rezaei in an interview with state broadcaster IRIB. He described a three-stage regional approach, beginning with negotiation and de-escalation, followed by diplomatic efforts to separate neighbouring countries from the United States.

“First we negotiate. Then, we try to separate them from America with pleasant language, because we are not really looking to expand the war,” Rezaei said. However, he cautioned that states continuing to side with Washington risk being classified as enemies by Tehran.

The precise nature of the reciprocal actions Iran intends to take remains undefined in the current reporting. Analysts note that the terminology reflects a shift towards more institutionalised policy responses rather than purely rhetorical threats, though the operational details are yet to be clarified.

The warning arrives against a backdrop of escalating economic tensions, where Tehran is seeking to isolate its neighbours from US influence before resorting to more severe measures.