Trump warns Iran’s backers: Oil, banks, cash, shipping and front companies all in the crosshairs
Washignton DC: US President Donald Trump has warned countries, businesses and financial institutions providing financial or logistical support to Iran of “tremendous economic consequences”, as Washington prepares what he described as an unprecedented campaign of economic pressure against Tehran.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned countries and entities that continue to provide financial or logistical support to Iran that they could face severe economic consequences.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US would launch what he described as “economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale” against Iran. He also called on US allies to join Washington in cutting Tehran off from international financial and commercial networks.
Trump warns Iran’s supporters
Trump said countries allowing their financial institutions, businesses, airports or government bodies to provide any form of support to Iran would face “tremendous Economic Consequences”.
He did not identify specific countries or outline the exact penalties that could be imposed.
Trump specifically listed oil smuggling, financial swap arrangements, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries and front companies as channels that he said must be stopped.
He also claimed that countries and entities involved in such activities were already known to the US.
Trump calls campaign ‘Economic D-Day’
Trump described the planned measures as an “ECONOMIC D-DAY” and said Iran had been given several opportunities to reach a deal with his administration but had failed to do so.
He argued that the new measures would further restrict Iran’s ability to operate internationally and place additional pressure on its already strained economy.
Trump urged US allies to support Washington's efforts to isolate Iran and described the campaign as the most severe economic operation imposed on a country.
Nuclear warning
Trump also repeated his administration's position that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon.
In the same post, he claimed that Iran's military capabilities had been significantly weakened, including its navy, air force and military production facilities.
He said the latest economic measures would further limit Tehran's ability to operate internationally and project power abroad.
Trump concluded by reiterating that “Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.”
Analysis
Trump's warning represents an escalation in the US pressure campaign against Iran, moving beyond direct sanctions on Iranian entities to a broader threat against third-country governments, financial institutions and businesses that could provide Tehran with economic lifelines.
The references to oil smuggling, financial transfers, exchange houses, shipping registries and front companies indicate that Washington is targeting the networks through which Iran can continue international trade and access foreign currency despite restrictions.
The threat of penalties for third-country entities could also increase pressure on US allies and other trading partners to reassess their commercial dealings with Iran. However, Trump's statement did not specify the legal mechanisms, countries or sanctions that would be used.
The nuclear issue remains central to the US position. Trump's latest warning links the economic campaign to Washington's demand that Iran not acquire a nuclear weapon, while also portraying the measures as part of a broader effort to restrict Iran's military and regional capabilities.