Iran warns companies investing in US debt could be considered “legitimate targets”

An Iranian official has said that firms purchasing US government debt and investing in Treasury bonds are viewed by Tehran as “partners in the war” against Iran. 

The official told CNN, “Tehran considers these companies and their managers in the region to be among its legitimate targets. These individuals are being warned to declare divestment in this area as soon as possible.”

US government debt is held by a wide range of investors worldwide, including banks, pension funds, corporations, mutual funds, and foreign governments. Several major American companies and banks maintain Middle East headquarters in Dubai, a regional hub.

The remarks come amid a series of Iranian strikes in recent days that have targeted US economic interests in the region, including Amazon data centres in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The escalation has raised concerns over the potential targeting of financial and corporate assets in the Gulf.

By Sabina Mammadli