US President Donald Trump has announced what he described as the “most crushing economic operation” ever imposed against a country, targeting Iran and warning that nations and entities that continue doing business with Tehran could face severe economic consequences.
The announcement marks a major escalation of the economic pressure campaign against Iran, as the conflict approaches its sixth month with no clear diplomatic or military resolution in sight.
Trump, in a post on Truth Social, declared that the new measures would amount to “economic warfare” and seek to isolate Iran on an unprecedented scale.
He also warned that any country whose financial institutions, businesses, airports or government agencies provide assistance to Iran would face what he described as “tremendous Economic Consequences.”
Trump, however, did not specify the nature of the threatened penalties or identify any country other than Iran that could be targeted.
The announcement came nearly a week after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington planned to impose economic isolation on Iran on a scale “like the world has never seen before.”
The latest threat comes amid continuing tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping route that Iran has effectively blocked despite a recent lull in missile strikes.
Efforts to reach a US-Iran agreement to reopen the strategic waterway have collapsed, further complicating attempts to ease the conflict and restore international shipping through the corridor.
In recent days, both Washington and Tehran have acknowledged that messages were being exchanged, fuelling speculation that diplomatic contacts could resume.
Trump, however, said on Tuesday that talks were over and made a provocative suggestion on social media that the Strait of Hormuz could become a “NEW U.S. Territory.”
The intensifying confrontation is also unfolding against a backdrop of growing political pressure on Trump at home, with the November elections approaching and the administration facing renewed scrutiny over its handling of the war.
