US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened “tremendous” punishment on any country that helps or does business with Iran, an economic pressure campaign that comes as the war in the Middle East nears its sixth month.
“No one has given the Islamic Republic of Iran a greater opportunity to make a Deal than me. TRAGICALLY, for them, they have failed to take it. Therefore, today, I am announcing the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY!
Calling it the “most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country”, he also listed several activities that he said need to stop immediately. This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale,” he said in a Truth Social post.
“Today, I am also announcing that ANY country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide any type of lifeline to Iran will itself face TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences. “This will be an ECONOMIC D-DAY, and we need all of our Allies to stand with the United States of America to isolate, and defeat, the Iran threat. These maniacs are on the ropes, and these HISTORIC MEASURES will cripple them and their ability to project terror worldwide.
Donald Trump had on Tuesday said that no talks were taking place with Iran after a temporary 60-day ceasefire agreement expired on Monday.
Oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries, front companies – It all needs to stop NOW,” Trump said without specifying what punishment countries would face. He didn’t name any country but said “they know who they are”. IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,” Trump said. “There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Earlier reporting noted: Trump threatens economic punishment on ‘any country’ helping Iran US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) he was launching a major new campaign to target Iran’s economy, threatening “tremendous” punishment on any country that helps or does business with the West Asian nation. Earlier reporting noted: The president’s comments come nearly a week after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US would impose economic isolation on the country “like the world has never seen before.”
