Iran warns US 'economic warfare' could trigger Gulf maritime exclusion zone

A senior Iranian security official has warned that if the United States continues 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, stated that Washington had received an unmistakable signal in recent days through Tehran's latest missile demonstrations.

"Economic warfare will be met by a maritime exclusion zone across the Persian Gulf to the blockade perimeter," Rezaei said in a post on X.

He added that Tehran has "fundamentally recalibrated" its operational posture toward US warships and military bases stationed across the region.

Stalled diplomatic track

Regional tensions have escalated sharply since US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28, with Tehran responding through repeated missile and drone attacks.

In June, Iran and the US signed a memorandum of understanding mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, outlining sequential steps toward halting hostilities, reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and easing economic sanctions.

However, the two sides have since repeatedly accused each other of failing to implement core commitments under the agreement.

Direct military frictions have persisted alongside unresolved disputes over navigational freedom through the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing economic restrictions.