Trump vows 'tremendous' economic costs on Iran partners

President Donald Trump declared a "MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY" targeting Iran's economy, threatening severe repercussions for any nation that aids or trades with the Islamic Republic. This escalation of economic pressure comes as the war approaches its sixth month with no clear diplomatic or military resolution in sight, and the critical Strait of Hormuz remains significantly disrupted.

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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.

"ANY country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences," Trump wrote on Truth Social. He did not name specific countries but identified activities that must stop immediately, including "oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries, front companies."

The announcement follows similar statements from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who described a forthcoming U.S. effort to "economically isolate Iran like the world has never seen before." The Treasury Department has been conducting "Operation Economic Fury" for months, aiming to cut off Iran's funding through targeted sanctions.

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ANY country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences.

Despite U.S. pressure, Iran has maintained a defiant stance, having weathered months of U.S. military actions. Reports suggest U.S. munition stockpiles have been significantly depleted, though the Pentagon denies this. The conflict, which began on February 28 with U.S.-Israeli attacks, saw Iran retaliate with regional missile and drone strikes, severely curtailing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz after a deal to reopen it collapsed. Trump, however, has also highlighted U.S. military efforts to facilitate ship passage, claiming "a lot of boats are coming through."

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It will be a combination of economic isolation, like the world has never seen before.