US President Donald Trump has announced what he has called "economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale" against Iran, threatening allies with consequences if they provide any lifeline to the country.
He wrote in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, August 19: "No one has given the Islamic Republic of Iran a greater opportunity to make a Deal than me. TRAGICALLY, for them, they have failed to take it. Therefore, 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. Their navy is gone, their air force is destroyed, their military factories are now rubble, their currency is worthless, and their country is hanging by a thread."
Joint strikes and retaliation
The US and Israel carried out joint strikes on several key Iranian sites on February 28. Iran retaliated by closing the Strait of Hormuz waterway and striking US allies across the Middle East.
The US and Iran have engaged in several rounds of failed negotiations over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear weapon capabilities and the end to the war and it appears that Trump has decided to take a new stance in his warfare against the Islamic Republic.
Threat to allies
"Today, I am also announcing that 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."
"Oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries, front companies — It all needs to stop NOW. You know who you are."
"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."
"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."
