US President Donald Trump has announced what he called "the most crushing economic operation ever taken" against rival Iran in a rambling post on Truth Social on Wednesday, August 19, where he demanded allies "stand with" the United States.
Background of the conflict
Trump's announcement is the latest development in a conflict that has raged since February when the US and Israel carried out joint strikes on several key Iranian sites. Iran retaliated by closing the Strait of Hormuz waterway and striking US allies across the Middle East.
The US and Iran have been through several failed rounds of negotiations over the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear weapon capabilities and the end to the war. Talks have failed to reach an agreement that would satisfy the US president.
Trump's threat and demands
His post read: "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."
Trump's threat was not limited to Iran. He warned other countries against assisting the Islamic Republic.
"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."
Call for allied support
The US leader termed this an "economic D-day".
"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."
