Iran Threatens US with Economic Warfare and Announces New Gulf Restricted Zone Amid Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia
Iran warned the United States of “economic warfare” and claimed to have fired an advanced missile at US warships, while planning a new maritime exclusion zone in the Gulf, raising geopolitical risk for oil markets and the Pakistani rupee.
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Desk Analysis
How This Affects the Exchange
Sector Effect
Negative · Do not buy
Oil & Gas sector faces heightened risk from Gulf tensions, leading to a negative bias – avoid buying related stocks.
Sectors & Direction
Desk read
Desk call: Do not buy · Negatively affected
- Oil & GasNegatively affected
- EconomyNegatively affected
- MarketsNegatively affected
Companies Mentioned
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Mentions in This Briefing
Sectors: Oil & Gas, Economy, Markets — Negative · Do not buy. Oil & Gas sector faces heightened risk from Gulf tensions, leading to a negative bias – avoid buying related stocks.
Full Story
Open on Business Recorder## Iran’s New Threats to the United States
Iran announced on Tuesday that it will engage in “economic warfare” against the United States and claimed to have launched a Qassem Basir ballistic missile at US warships operating near the Strait of Hormuz. The statement was made by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, who said the missile is an upgraded system capable of evading defence measures.
## Planned Restricted Zone in the Gulf
Rezaei also warned that Iran will soon declare a new restricted maritime zone extending from the US‑imposed blockade perimeter into the Persian Gulf. Any vessel entering the zone would be placed on an Iranian sanctions list. Detailed maps of a new shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz are expected in the coming days.
## Regional Escalation
The announcement comes as Iran‑backed Houthi forces attacked several Saudi cities, injuring 73 people, and as US forces recently struck three Iranian oil tankers. Iran continues to disrupt commercial traffic through the Strait, a key artery for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, causing a slowdown in vessel movements.
## Market Implications
Analysts note that about 20 % of world oil and LNG shipments pass through the Strait. Heightened tension and the prospect of a new exclusion zone could tighten global oil supplies, push prices higher, and increase volatility in emerging‑market currencies, including the Pakistani rupee. The ongoing conflict also adds uncertainty to the risk‑on sentiment that underpins equity markets in Pakistan.
## Outlook
While Iran claims its missile capabilities remain robust despite US sanctions, the broader geopolitical environment remains fluid. Any further escalation could amplify energy price shocks and affect investor confidence in the Pakistan Stock Exchange.