Trump Announces Economic Operation Targeting Iran, Threatens Sanctions on Supporting Countries

United States President Donald Trump has announced his latest economic policy relating to the war against Iran. Trump pledged to impose economic sanctions on any country that assists Iran.

Trump said he would launch a large-scale campaign targeting Iran’s economy. He described the policy as the most devastating economic operation the US has ever carried out against a country.

“Today, I am announcing the most devastating economic operation ever conducted against any country! This will be economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, as reported by AFP on Thursday (20/8/2026).

He said the US would impose harsh economic sanctions on countries that provide assistance to Iran.

“I am also announcing that any country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any lifeline assistance to Iran will face extremely severe economic consequences,” he said.

He did not specify what penalties those countries would face, and no country other than Iran was mentioned specifically.

Trump’s statement came nearly a week after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US would impose economic isolation on Iran at a level “the world has never witnessed before.”

Although missile attacks have subsided recently, Iran continues to maintain an effective blockade on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, after an initial agreement between the US and Iran to reopen the vital route failed to materialise.

In recent days, both sides have indicated an exchange of messages; however, on Tuesday (18/8), Trump confirmed that negotiations had been cancelled and posted a message on social media implying that the Strait of Hormuz could become a “New US Territory.”