Iran says any country joining US sanctions considered 'enemy'

Iran on Saturday warned countries against participating in the United States' "economic war" against the Islamic Republic, saying they would be considered enemies.

"We declare to all countries... do not join the economic war waged by the United States. Any country participating in the imposition of economic restrictions against us is considered an enemy," said Mohsen Rezai, the head of Iran's supreme national security council, on state television.

"We are not seeking to expand the war, but if the countries surrounding Iran join the Americans in the economic war, we will strike their interests," he added.

Rezaee warned that if neighboring countries cooperated with the US campaign, "not a single drop of oil will leave the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz."

He said Iran would also target other routes used to export oil from the Gulf. "If Trump wants to take action, we will respond in kind with earthquake-like force," Rezaee said

Rezaee said the Strait of Hormuz remains closed despite US claims to the contrary and would not reopen until Washington "corrects its behavior."

"This time, it is the United States that must first fulfill its commitments," he said.

Rezaee said Iran accounts for more than 50% of the Gulf coastline and that it should therefore manage the Strait of Hormuz.

He added that Iran seeks an end to the war in West Asia and "stands against warmongers around the world."

US President Donald Trump announced this week his intention to launch "the most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country," describing his maximum-pressure campaign against Iran as "Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale."

Iran and the US signed the memorandum of understanding in June through Pakistani and Qatari mediation, ending hostilities that began in February and to pursue negotiations toward a final agreement.

Talks have since stalled amid disputes over implementation of the memorandum and arrangements for navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil and gas exports.