Trump threatens Iran with an 'economic Normandy landing'

Washington-Tehran-Agencies: US President Donald Trump announced he is launching an “unprecedented economic war” against Iran, warning that any country engaging in trade with Tehran would face severe repercussions, a move Tehran dismissed as a continuation of “failed policies” toward it. Trump wrote yesterday on his Truth Social platform, “I am announcing today that any country that allows its financial institutions, companies, airports, and government agencies to provide any form of lifeline to Iran will face severe economic consequences.” He argued that Tehran “did not know how to seize the great opportunity” to reach an agreement with him. He added, “Therefore, I am announcing the most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country!” threatening an “unprecedented economic war.” Trump likened these measures to an “economic invasion,” akin to the D-Day landings in World War II. The “Normandy landings” were the largest amphibious operation in military history; launched by the Allies in June 1944 from Britain onto the Normandy coast in northwestern France to open a new front against Germany during World War II. More than two million soldiers and 300,000 military vehicles participated. The US president noted that these “historic measures will paralyze Iran’s movements and eliminate its ability to spread terrorism around the world.” In his lengthy post yesterday, he addressed countries suspected of aiding Iran without naming them, saying, “Oil smuggling, currency exchange, liquidity transfers, exchange offices, ship registries, shell companies... all of this must stop now.” The US president did not provide details on the measures or sanctions he would impose. Trump said the United States needs all its allies to stand by it to “isolate and defeat the Iranian threat.” In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Trump is seeking to “distract attention from America’s own crisis: unprecedented debt and rising interest costs.” He added that “clinging to failed policies will bring only further defeat and hostility from the Iranians.” Since the outbreak of the conflict, Trump has made numerous fiery statements and threats to destroy Iranian sites and infrastructure, before refraining from carrying out those threats. Recently, his administration hinted that it would focus on economic pressure on the Islamic Republic rather than resuming military strikes, in a dispute nearing its sixth month. Trump previously adopted a “maximum pressure” policy toward Tehran during his first presidential term, which relied on imposing harsh economic sanctions. Iranian officials maintain that the new pressures will not deter Tehran from its positions. Trump’s recent decisions coincided with the US military tightening naval blockade enforcement against Iran, as part of operations led by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) with the participation of more than 20 warships deployed in the Middle East. Last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened Iran with economic isolation “unprecedented in the world.” In recent days, both sides stated that there has been an exchange of messages, but Trump insisted on Tuesday that talks were canceled, and posted a map showing the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as “new American land.”