New Delhi: Iran has warned that it could stop oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Persian Gulf if the United States continues what Tehran describes as an “economic war” against the country. Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said Iran would not allow “a single drop of oil” to be exported if the pressure campaign continues, and warned that any country backing the U.S effort could be treated as participating in an “act of war.”

The warning came as Washington prepared to announce a new round of sanctions. Reuters reported that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the move as the “toughest sanctions in history” and urged countries, especially China, to cooperate with the U.S. The measures are aimed at Iran and its trade partners, with Washington signaling that it may target nations that continue doing business with Tehran.

The dispute has placed fresh attention on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. Reuters reported that oil shipments through the strait are already close to a standstill, while Iran’s economy is under heavy strain from sanctions and war damage. The agency also noted that Iran has kept enough missile and drone capability to threaten tankers and Gulf shipping routes, adding to global fuel price concerns.

Iranian officials have responded by hardening their rhetoric. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked the U.S. sanctions threat in a social media post, while Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said sanctions and war are nothing new for Iran. China, which buys a large share of Iran-linked oil, said sanctions and pressure do not solve the problem and called instead for diplomacy.

The latest exchange underscores how the standoff over sanctions and Gulf shipping remains tightly linked to global energy security. With both sides escalating rhetoric, the prospect of further disruption in the Persian Gulf is now a major concern for oil markets and import-dependent economies.