Trump warns that any country supporting Iran will face economic consequences
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, warned that any country providing "any kind of lifeline" to Iran would be subject to economic sanctions. The United States is trying to end a conflict it began with Israel six months ago.
The war has killed thousands of people. It quickly attracted Gulf nations, and the global markets were shocked as Iran showed its capability to stop shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This was the route that carried a fifth of all oil traded in the world before February.
Both the U.S., and Iran, announced ceasefire agreements in April and June to restore free shipping through Hormuz and end the conflict. However, both deals quickly collapsed, even though Israel had largely pulled out of the fighting.
In a Wednesday social media post, Trump promised 'Economic Warfare and Isolation of?an unprecedented magnitude.' Details were scarce.
Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iran has endured punishing economic sanctions that have lasted for almost 50 years.
Trump wrote: "Any country that allows their?financial institution, businesses, airports or government entities to provide Iran with any type of lifeline will face TREMENDOUS economic consequences." Abbas Araqchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, said Trump's remarks were an attempt to divert the?American public from their domestic financial issues including record debts and rising interest rates. He claimed that Washington's refusal to abandon policies he described in his book as failing would lead to further failures, and alienate Iranians. He said that "America's economic terrorism" threatens global economies and national sovereignty in countries all over the world.
Trump's threats and announcements on social media are not always implemented exactly as they were written. He did not specify what steps the U.S. will take against a particular country. This would seem to include U.S. ally countries that have helped facilitate peace talks but he didn't identify any. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is home to a large U.S. base, announced on Tuesday that it would suspend all commercial activities, financial transactions, and exchanges with Iran.
China took this step after the UAE defense minister said that it had detected two Iranian missiles which fell into the ocean. Iran rejected the report as unfounded. Data from 2025 analytics firm Kpler show that China purchases more than 80% of Iran’s oil shipped. However, the U.S. could face retaliation if it continues to engage in economic warfare with China, which is a major supplier of vital minerals such as rare earths.
Mohammad Mokhber, a senior adviser to Iran's supreme leadership, told the semi-official Fars News Agency that Iran is open to dialogue but will not surrender to American demands.
Mokhber said that sanctions and military pressure would not be able to break Iran's will. Trump claimed that no talks with Iran were being held on Tuesday. Jared Kushner's son-in law and special envoy struck an optimistic tone a day earlier. He said that talks were ongoing and "probably more robust" than ever.
Trump wants to seize Iran’s stockpiles of highly-enriched uranium. He is also seeking a more restrictive agreement to curb its nuclear energy programs and research, replacing the one from which the U.S. unilaterally withdrew in 2018.
Iran, a signatory of the non-proliferation agreement, has claimed for years that its nuclear program is peaceful. (Reporting and writing by Jasper Ward and Kanishka Sing; editing by Lincoln Feast, Clarence Fernandez and Jonathan Allen)
(source: Reuters)
