Iran’s new hardline leadership, led by its top security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, is doubling down in its war of words with President of the United States, President Donald Trump.

This time Rezaei has vowed to “neutralize the economic war” with the US which has threatened to ramp up sanctions on Tehran. Details of fresh round of sanctions is expected to be made public by the U.S. this week.

This comes as President Trump says the contentious Strait of Hormuz is to be considered an America territory. But Rezaei has also vowed to end oil flow out of the Strait should Iran’s neighbouring countries join the US’ economic crackdown.

All this is happening amid deepening fractures within the Iranian government, in the aftermath of the death of their Supreme Leader as well as numerous top government officials, including military chiefs.

President Masoud Pezeshkian is reported to have said that Tehran “cannot continue with war forever” and he defended the agreement reached with the US in June, despite the supreme leader’s purported misgivings.