Top security official’s comments are a fresh sign of Iran’s readiness to go on the offense

A senior Iranian official has declared that the US economic sanctions campaign will fail, highlighting Iran's determination not to negotiate despite the nation's worsening economic situation. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, made the remarks in an interview, suggesting that the international community has dismissed President Trump's threats as "empty talk."

Rezaei, who serves as an advisor to Supreme Leader Khamenei, also hinted at forthcoming changes in Iran's approach to warfare, diplomacy, and domestic affairs, with new capabilities being deployed. He emphasized Iran's resolve to not back down from the US pressure, stating that the Strait of Hormuz will remain sealed until Washington complies with its obligations.

Oil shipping data indicates a shift in Iran's trade routes, with a growing proportion of crude oil now traveling through a southern passage near Oman, potentially undermining Iran's previous leverage. Rezaei, a former commander during the 1980s Iraq-Iran war, was appointed as the new security chief this month, marking a shift towards a more assertive stance under the previous supreme leader.

In his most detailed comments since assuming the new role, Rezaei claimed that the US attack on Iran has spurred a global trend of countries seeking nuclear protection. He argued that the Islamic Republic's nuclear program and membership in the International Atomic Energy Agency did not prevent the US from launching an attack. Rezaei's remarks, the most comprehensive since his appointment, suggest a readiness for heightened confrontation.