Agencies | Washington:
US President Donald Trump has announced what he described as an “unprecedented” economic campaign against Iran, warning countries, businesses and financial institutions that assist or trade with Tehran of severe economic consequences.
In a post on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said the United States would pursue “Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale”, accusing Iran of failing to take advantage of opportunities to reach an agreement with Washington.
“Today, I am announcing the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY! This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale,” Trump wrote.
Trump warned that countries allowing their financial institutions, businesses, airports or government agencies to provide what he described as a “lifeline” to Iran would face “TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences”.
The US President specifically called for measures targeting activities that he said help sustain Iran’s economy, including oil smuggling, currency-swap arrangements, cash transfers, exchange-house transactions, ship registries and front companies allegedly linked to Tehran.
“This will be an ECONOMIC D-DAY, and we need all of our Allies to stand with the United States of America to isolate, and defeat, the Iran threat,” Trump said, calling on Washington’s allies to join the campaign.
Trump argued that the measures would significantly weaken Iran’s ability to finance and support activities beyond its borders. He also repeated his longstanding warning that Tehran must not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
“These maniacs are on the ropes, and these HISTORIC MEASURES will cripple them and their ability to project terror worldwide. IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” Trump said.
The announcement signals a potentially significant expansion of Washington’s economic pressure campaign against Tehran, with the focus extending beyond Iranian entities to countries and commercial networks that continue to maintain financial and trading links with Iran.
