Iran warns US ‘economic warfare’ could trigger Gulf maritime exclusion zone

A senior Iranian security official warned early Tuesday that if the US continued to wage “economic warfare” against Iran, it could trigger the establishment of a maritime exclusion zone across the Gulf.

Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Washington had received a clear warning in recent days from Iran’s new missiles.

“Economic warfare will be met by a maritime exclusion zone across the Persian Gulf to the blockade perimeter,” Rezaei said in a post on the US social media platform X.

He added that Tehran had “fundamentally recalibrated” its operational posture toward US warships and bases.

Regional tensions have escalated since US-Israeli attacks on Iran began on Feb. 28, with Tehran responding with missile and drone strikes against Israel and US interests across the region.

Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding in June mediated by Pakistan and Qatar outlining steps toward ending hostilities, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and addressing economic restrictions.

​​​​​​​The two sides have since accused each other of failing to implement commitments under the memorandum, while military tensions have continued alongside disputes over sanctions and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.