U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media on Wednesday, pledging to initiate what he described as “the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY!” Trump, in a post on Truth Social, indicated that this operation would involve Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unparalleled scale, providing scant details.
Additionally, he cautioned of economic repercussions for any nation supporting Iran or extending any form of assistance to Tehran. Trump warned that any country permitting its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to aid Iran would face significant Economic Consequences, without specifying the exact measures Washington would adopt against such countries or naming them directly. He emphasized the need to halt activities such as oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries, and front companies immediately, calling out those involved with a message, “You know who you are.”
Amid a six-month-long war resulting in numerous casualties and involving countries across the Gulf, Iran’s ability to influence shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for approximately one-fifth of the world’s traded oil before February, has rattled global markets. Efforts to establish ceasefire agreements between the U.S. and Iran in April and June, aimed at restoring shipping flow through Hormuz and resolving the conflict, faltered swiftly, despite Israel scaling back its involvement in the conflict initiated alongside the U.S. in February.
Trump’s declarations and warnings on social media are not consistently followed through or realized as stated.
On Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates, home to a significant U.S. military base, declared a suspension of all trade activities, commercial exchanges, and financial transactions with Iran until further notice. This decision came after the UAE defense ministry reported detecting two missiles launched from Iran that landed in the sea, a claim Iran dismissed as unfounded.
China, the largest purchaser of Iran’s shipped oil, accounting for over 80% based on 2025 data from analytics firm Kpler, poses a challenge for the U.S. to engage in further economic confrontations given China’s role as a major U.S. exporter, including crucial rare-earth minerals.
Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, conveyed Iran’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the U.S. while emphasizing that negotiations should not be mistaken for surrender. Mokhber, as reported by the semi-official Fars news agency, asserted that military pressure and sanctions would not weaken Iran’s determination.
Trump stated that no discussions were ongoing with Iran on Tuesday, contrasting with Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and special envoy, who expressed optimism about the ongoing talks with Iran, suggesting they were more robust than ever the day before.