US: Sever Trade Relations with Iran
The United States government has officially increased economic pressure on Tehran through the launch of a global initiative called ‘Operation Economic Outcast’. This move aims to totally isolate Iran from the international trading system by involving US diplomatic networks worldwide.
According to reports from the news portal Axios, citing several sources, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has instructed all US embassies to send official diplomatic notes to high-ranking officials in their respective host countries. This instruction mandates partner nations to immediately halt all trading activities with Iran.
Washington has issued a stern warning to any country or entity that chooses to ignore these demands. Parties that continue to maintain business relations with Tehran will face severe consequences, including economic sanctions and the loss of access to the US dollar-based financial system.
US diplomatic missions have also been asked to urge local governments to disclose all economic activities related to Iran. The primary focus of this operation is to close the financial loopholes that Tehran has historically been able to access in the global market.
Specific instructions have reportedly been sent to US embassies in several strategic economic hubs worldwide. Embassies in these regions have been asked to urge local governments to immediately close all branches of Iran’s Bank Melli and Bank Saderat. Washington alleges that both financial institutions have strong affiliations with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
President Donald Trump previously stated that this operation represents a form of “isolation on an unprecedented scale.” Trump urged US allies to shift from a strategy of direct military action towards a strategy of gradual economic pressure.
This strategy is designed to systematically weaken Iran’s economic power, forcing Tehran to comply with international demands through a strict financial blockade. To date, the US Department of State continues to monitor the responses from countries that have received the diplomatic notes to ensure compliance with this new policy.
Iran has threatened to retaliate against nations joining the US economic war, warning of potential threats to oil export routes in the Gulf region.