Trump hopes Iran's financial system collapses, calls it a US victory

Washington – US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (5 May) stated his hope that Iran’s financial system would collapse, reasoning that it would be a victory for the United States.

When asked if he would allow the Islamic Republic’s financial system to collapse, Trump replied, “I think so, because we made it fail… I hope it fails. You know why? Because I want to win.”

Previously, on 16 April, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that the Treasury Department had launched Operation “Economic Fury” to maximise economic pressure on Iran.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent added that the US government would continue to press Iran with a maximum economic strategy.

Tensions escalated since 28 February, when the US and Israel launched attacks on targets in Iran, causing damage and civilian casualties.

On 7 April, Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire, but subsequent talks in Islamabad ended without agreement.

Trump then extended the suspension of attacks to give Iran time to prepare a “comprehensive proposal.”

Those tensions nearly halted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz – a vital shipping route for oil and liquefied natural gas from the Persian Gulf to global markets.

As a result, energy prices surged sharply, adding pressure to the world economy.