Trump threatens Iran with "economic war" but has few options

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened Iran with an unprecedented "economic war," which he likened to an "economic D-Day" on his Truth Social platform. Trump also warned that any country or financial institution supporting Iran would face "enormous economic consequences."

His Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, announced that Washington would tighten sanctions this week in "unprecedented" ways. Bessent stated that this "economic isolation," combined with an existing U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, is intended to compel the regime to change course.

“

economic D-Day

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has significantly decreased, with only ten ships passing through on Tuesday, according to satellite oil tanker traffic monitor Kpler. This is a sharp drop from over a hundred ships daily before the current conflict escalated in February.

“

enormous economic consequences

The U.S. aims to use the new sanctions to pressure Iran into allowing more maritime traffic through the vital waterway. Details of the announced "economic isolation" remain unclear. Iran's foreign trade is already heavily restricted by international sanctions related to its nuclear program, and the U.S. naval blockade further hinders its oil exports to countries like China.

Iranian President Massud Peseschkian acknowledged that the ongoing conflict has worsened the country's economic problems, citing reduced oil exports due to the blockade and damage to industrial facilities from airstrikes. Food prices have more than doubled in the past year, making life increasingly difficult for Iran's over 90 million citizens.

“

unprecedented