The new head of Iran's top security body, Mohsen Rezaei, issued a warning to neighbouring states: if they join the American economic pressure on Tehran, they will be treated as enemies. "Those countries will be considered enemies and we will attack their interests," he said.

Until now, Rezaei claims, Iran has only struck military bases. "We have not yet attacked a single American economic interest," he said, but added that this could change - next in line could be American trading and oil companies near Iran. He also announced that Iran could hit oil trade routes beyond the Persian Gulf.

When a threat becomes a tariff

The oddest detail in the statement is not the threat, but what followed it: Rezaei confirmed that talks are under way with Oman about managing the strait, and announced that tolls would be charged for passage. That is a change of genre - from war rhetoric to a tollbooth. Who will pay that fee and how it will be calculated remains unexplained.

On the other side, US President Donald Trump is running a campaign for Iran's economic isolation, threatening "enormous economic consequences" for any state that helps Tehran. Trump has repeatedly suggested the Strait of Hormuz could be declared American territory: "We control it through the blockade and I like the idea of declaring it territory."

The neighbours are already picking sides

The rhetoric is already producing consequences. The United Arab Emirates announced it is cutting off all trade and financial transactions with Iran. Washington is running operations called "Economic Wrath" - targeted sanctions and a naval blockade to restrict Iranian oil exports.

A significant share of the world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and every squeeze there is felt in prices far beyond the Gulf. The Balkans know this - no oil fields of their own, and total exposure to any decision taken in Tehran or Washington. The difference is that here nobody asks us before the decision is made.