Can Iran retaliate against countries that join US ‘economic war’?

Key Points:

• Iran has threatened "seismic" retaliation against any country joining the US-led economic sanctions, warning that no oil would be allowed to leave the Gulf region if neighbors cooperate with Washington's "economic war."
• Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s top security official, outlined a three-stage retaliation plan starting with diplomatic talks, followed by strikes on the interests of countries that do not distance themselves from US sanctions.
• The US plans to announce new sanctions aimed at further crippling Iran’s economy, with President Trump pledging severe consequences for nations providing Iran with any economic lifeline.
• Gulf neighbors, though US allies, face a dilemma as they rely on stable relations with Iran due to geographic proximity and economic interdependence, leading some to seek diplomatic engagement rather than full alignment with US sanctions.
• US sanctions on Iran have been in place since 1979 and intensified over decades, especially after the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal under Trump, with the Biden administration maintaining most sanctions through 2025.