Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Iran Warns Allies as US Escalates Economic Pressure
Iran and the United States are arguing over economic pressure and regional security.
The United States says it will impose very tough measures on Iran and countries that help it.
Iran says countries that join the pressure campaign could become targets.
Iran has asked nearby countries not to take part.
Mohsen Rezaei said Iran could attack their interests if they refuse.
He also said the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until the United States meets promises in a June agreement.
The strait is important because ships use it to transport oil.
Iran’s foreign minister said earlier US pressure campaigns had failed and that the new one would also fail.
Iranian leaders have called for regional peace and security without relying on the United States.
Mohsen Rezaei warned countries joining the US economic campaign against Iran would be treated as enemies.
Iran said it could target the interests of neighboring countries that refuse to stay out of the conflict.
Rezaei said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until the United States fulfills commitments under a June peace memorandum.
Donald Trump vowed an unprecedented economic operation against countries providing Iran with a lifeline.
Iranian officials said US coercive measures would fail and called for an independent regional security order.
- Who
- Iranian officials Mohsen Rezaei, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and Seyed Abbas Araghchi, and US President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
- What
- Iran warned countries against joining the US economic campaign, while Washington prepared tougher economic measures against Iran and its supporters.
- When
- The warnings were reported on August 23; new US measures were expected on Monday. The June memorandum set a 60-day period for negotiations.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Iran, neighboring countries, the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region.
- Why
- The United States says it is seeking unprecedented economic pressure and isolation against Iran, while Iran says it is defending itself and opposing outside interference.
United States position
Iranian position
Economic pressure
United States position
The United States says it will impose unprecedented economic warfare and isolation on Iran and countries that provide it with support.
Iranian position
Iran says US coercive measures will fail, citing what it describes as the failure of earlier sanctions and maximum-pressure campaigns.
Participation by neighboring countries
United States position
The US campaign targets countries described as providing Iran with a lifeline or participating in its economic support network.
Iranian position
Iran says neighboring countries should stay out of the conflict and could be treated as enemies or have their interests targeted if they join the campaign.
Strait of Hormuz
United States position
The United States is expected to pursue economic measures while the status of negotiations under the June memorandum remains uncertain.
Iranian position
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Washington fulfills its commitments under the memorandum and says no oil would leave through the strait for countries joining the siege.
Regional security
United States position
US actions are presented as part of pressure intended to isolate Iran.
Iranian position
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf called for a homegrown, independent regional order, arguing that US actions had endangered the security of its allies.
- Iranian official
- Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council
- US pledge
- Donald Trump promised the “most crushing economic operation ever” against countries providing Iran with a lifeline.
- Iran’s warning
- Iran said countries joining the US economic campaign could be considered enemies and have their interests targeted.
- Strait of Hormuz
- Rezaei said the strait would remain closed until the United States fulfills commitments under a June peace memorandum.
- Expected US action
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was expected to announce new measures on Monday.
- June memorandum
- The United States and Iran signed a June 18 memorandum that called for negotiations within 60 days toward a final agreement.
- Iranian response
- Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said previous US sanctions and pressure campaigns had failed and predicted the new effort would fail.
