“Whoever Joins US in Economic Sanctions Will Be Considered an Enemy”: Iran

TEHRAN (International Desk) — Iran has issued a stern warning in response to escalating US economic pressure, declaring that any country joining Washington’s sanctions against Tehran will be regarded as an enemy of Iran.
Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, told state television that all nations — particularly neighboring states — should avoid becoming part of the US-led “economic war.” He warned that if President Donald Trump takes any action against Iran, Tehran’s response would be “like an earthquake.”
Separately, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that Iran’s enemies had wrongly predicted the country would collapse under pressure and become “another Venezuela.” Speaking at the shrine of Ayatollah Khomeini on Government Day, he said Iran instead showed resilience, unity and steadfastness that left the world astonished. While acknowledging serious challenges, he called on Iranians to remain united.
According to a New York Times analysis, US efforts to economically isolate Iran are unlikely to succeed without China’s cooperation, as China remains Iran’s largest trading partner and top oil buyer. The report noted bilateral trade of roughly $24.1 billion in 2025, including about $23.1 billion in crude oil imports — with Chinese independent refineries, known as “teapots,” seen as relatively insulated from traditional US sanctions.
Meanwhile, President Pezeshkian met with Parliament Speaker Baqer Qalibaf and the judiciary chief to discuss a coordinated strategy for countering the US economic offensive.