Iran warns countries against joining in US sanctions

Iran has cautioned other nations against joining in the United States' economic sanctions against the Islamic republic. The United States has encouraged its allies to join Donald Trump's campaign to isolate Iran's economy as the unpopular war enters its sixth month. Mohsen Rezai, head of Iran's supreme national security council, declared on state television that any country helping impose economic restrictions on Iran would be considered an enemy.

If these countries do not distance themselves from the U.S., Iran will harm their interests. Rezai also stated that Iran has more cards to play in the conflict, claiming the U.S. has oil and economic companies around Iran and elsewhere, and they will strike them if sanctions are imposed. Should Trump take action, Rezai warned, Iran's confrontation would be like an earthquake.

The U.S. has called on other governments to join its efforts to isolate Iran's economy, notably China. However, China has criticized the initiative, arguing that American sanctions will not resolve the conflict. One of Iran's major trading partners, the UAE, announced on Tuesday that it would suspend all trade and financial transactions with Iran.

The U.S. Treasury Secretary is expected to hold a press conference later with threats of the toughest sanctions in history on Iran. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson accused the U.S. of exercising extraterritorial sovereignty over every independent member state of the UN, stating such secondary sanctions have no foundation in international law.

Despite ongoing attacks on Iran's economy and military, the country maintains enough missile and drone capability to impede oil tanker traffic and attack regional rivals.