WANA (Aug 20) – U.S. President Donald Trump announced early Thursday that his administration had launched what he described as the “most crushing economic operation” ever imposed against the Islamic Republic of Iran, signaling a new phase of sweeping economic pressure on Tehran and countries and entities doing business with Iran.

 

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran had failed to take advantage of opportunities offered by the United States to reach a deal and that Washington had therefore entered a new phase of economic pressure against Tehran.

 

The U.S. president described the measures as part of an “economic war and unprecedented isolation,” claiming that Iran’s military capabilities had suffered major damage, its currency had lost value, and the country was on the verge of collapse.

 

Trump also threatened countries that allow their financial institutions, companies, airports or government entities to provide any form of support to Iran, warning that they would face “severe economic consequences.”

 

He called for an end to oil smuggling, financial transactions, money transfers, currency exchange operations, ship registrations and the use of intermediary companies in dealings with Iran. He also urged U.S. allies to join Washington in what he described as an effort to “isolate the Iranian threat.”

 

Trump went on to make further assertions about Iran’s internal situation, saying the ultimate goal of the pressure campaign was to limit Tehran’s ability to support regional groups. He also reiterated that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons.