Trump Threatens ‘Tremendous’ Economic Punishment for Iran, Allied Countries

US President Donald Trump has announced a fresh economic offensive against Iran, warning that countries whose financial institutions, businesses, airports or government agencies provide support to Tehran will face what he described as “tremendous” economic consequences.

Trump announced the move on Wednesday as the conflict with Iran approaches its sixth month, with no clear diplomatic or military resolution in sight.

The renewed pressure campaign also comes amid growing domestic political scrutiny of the US administration’s handling of the war ahead of the November elections.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the planned measures as the most severe economic operation ever imposed against a country, saying the United States would pursue economic warfare and unprecedented isolation against Iran.

“Today, I am announcing the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY!” Trump said, adding that it would amount to “Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale.”

He further warned that any country allowing its financial institutions, businesses, airports or government entities to provide “any type of lifeline” to Iran would face severe economic repercussions.

Trump, however, did not specify the nature of the sanctions or other punitive measures that could be imposed on countries found to be supporting Iran, nor did he identify any country other than Iran.

The announcement followed comments last week by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said Washington would subject Iran to economic isolation “like the world has never seen before.”

Strait of Hormuz remains flashpoint

The latest US threat comes against the backdrop of continued tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy and shipping corridor.

Although missile exchanges between the United States and Iran have recently eased, Iran has continued to maintain what Washington describes as an effective blockade of shipping through the strategic waterway.

A preliminary US-Iranian understanding aimed at reopening the strait reportedly collapsed, further complicating efforts to de-escalate the conflict.

In recent days, both Washington and Tehran have acknowledged the exchange of messages, fuelling speculation about possible diplomatic contacts.

Trump, however, said on Tuesday that negotiations were no longer taking place.

He also made a provocative reference to the strategic waterway on social media, suggesting that the Strait of Hormuz could become a “NEW U.S. Territory.”

The latest announcement signals a further escalation of Washington’s economic pressure on Tehran and raises the prospect of secondary economic measures against countries and companies that continue to maintain commercial or financial links with Iran.

The development could have wider implications for international trade, energy markets and diplomatic relations, particularly if the United States moves to enforce the threat through secondary sanctions.

AFP