According to Middle East Monitor and Kompas.com, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Mohsen Rezaei, threatened to block all oil exports through the Gulf if regional nations join the latest US economic sanctions against Tehran. Speaking to state media on August 26, 2026, Rezaei warned that any country participating in Washington’s measures will be treated as an “enemy” by Tehran, potentially disrupting regional energy shipping lanes including the Strait of Hormuz.
US Economic Pressure and New Sanctions
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a sweeping campaign of economic pressure on August 24, 2026, aimed at imposing the “heaviest sanctions in history” against Iran. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the expanded secondary sanctions target digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping sectors. Washington also penalized 60 individuals, companies, and vessels across the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Europe for allegedly assisting Tehran in generating oil revenue, acquiring weapons, and conducting cyber operations.
Did you know? US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that countries failing to back Washington’s economic operations will “share in the isolation” experienced by Tehran, while President Donald Trump has actively contacted world leaders to halt interactions with Iran, per Middle East Monitor coverage.
Iran’s Threat to Block the Strait of Hormuz
Responding to the financial pressure, Mohsen Rezaei stated via Middle East Monitor and Kompas.com that Iran will not allow a single drop of oil to cross the Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz if the US-led campaign continues. Furthermore, Tasnim news agency reported that Rezaei warned alternative oil transport routes outside the Gulf could also become targets if the conflict escalates. Seyed Ali Madanizadeh, Iran’s Minister of Finance, countered that the nation has prepared a two-year operational scenario to keep the domestic economy functioning despite Western isolation, as noted by Kompas.com.
Geopolitical Fallout and Regional Stances
The latest confrontation follows a six-month military stalemate and stalled peace talks that have largely blocked shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Kompas.com, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserted that Washington’s economic strategy merely punishes civilians by spreading despair, while Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei criticized the Trump administration for recycling failed sanction methods. Meanwhile, Kaltim.tribunnews.com reported that regional energy markets face heightened volatility as the threat of an outright energy blockade looms over international trade.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Iran threatening to stop oil exports?
According to Middle East Monitor, Iran threatened to halt Gulf oil shipments in retaliation against new economic sanctions announced by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
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What regions and sectors are targeted by the new US sanctions?
The U.S. Department of the Treasury stated that expanded sanctions target digital assets, technology, gold, aviation, and shipping, affecting entities in the UAE, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Europe.
How has Iran responded domestically to the pressure?
According to Kompas.com, Iranian Finance Minister Seyed Ali Madanizadeh stated that the government has prepared a two-year economic plan to withstand Western isolation.
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