Trump declares 'economic war' on Iran, threatens third countries too
RastinewsPresident Donald Trump announced the launch of what he called an unprecedented "economic operation" against Iran. He warned that countries supporting Tehran through oil, finance and money transfers would face severe economic sanctions.
Trump said Washington would further expand its economic pressure on Iran.
Posting on social media, Trump said he had given Iran a chance to reach a deal, but Tehran had failed to take it.
"Today, I am announcing the most crushing economic operation ever imposed on any country. This will be economic warfare and isolation of a scale never before seen," Trump said.
His statement also carried a direct threat to third countries that maintain economic ties with Iran.
Trump said countries supporting Iran through financial institutions, companies, airports or state bodies would face "tremendous economic consequences," and listed the areas that would be targeted.
"Oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers, currency exchange houses, ship registries and shell companies — all of it must stop immediately. You know who you are," Trump said.
Trump argued that Iran was already under heavy military and economic pressure, and called on U.S. allies to back Washington's new policy.
The president said the measures were designed to further isolate Iran and target Tehran's capacity to finance its activities in the region.