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

Mohsen Rezaei, a senior Iranian official, stated Iran has fundamentally recalibrated its posture toward US warships and bases, warning that US 'economic warfare' could prompt a Gulf maritime exclusion zone. This marks a notable escalation in rhetoric, suggesting a potential shift from asymmetric harassment to declared exclusion measures. The claim is unverified and likely reflects signaling rather than an imminent operational change.