Trump’s ‘economic D-Day’ will turn into ‘dud day’

from Tehran Times

 

As the unprovoked war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran approaches its six-month mark, Washington is confronting diminishing weapon stockpiles, a stalled aggression campaign, and growing domestic political distress ahead of crucial US midterm elections that will decide control of Congress. 

In a transparent effort to conceal these strategic miscalculations, US President Donald Trump has turned to bombastic rhetoric, touting a crushing financial campaign against Tehran and promising an “economic D-Day” against a nation that has steadfastly resisted nearly five decades of punishing American blockades.  With sparse details, Trump announced that Washington would impose an “unprecedented” level of economic warfare and isolation on Iran. The coercive action aims to force Tehran into caving to illegal demands regarding its peaceful civilian nuclear program and demanding the complete opening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz to oil and natural gas tankers.

This escalation reflects the dire political reality facing Trump, who finds himself entangled in an increasingly unpopular war that he cannot end. Refusing to learn from the failures of past administrations, the US president is attempting to refocus American power on forcing Iranian submission through an accelerated sanctions push against one of the most economically penalized countries in the world.  Laying out the mechanics of this next phase of hostility during a Thursday interview on CNBC, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened secondary sanctions against sovereign nations and foreign companies that maintain lawful commercial ties with Tehran.

Under the framework of "Operation Economic Fury"—which previously targeted entities purchasing Iranian energy or conducting banking transactions with Tehran—Bessent issued an explicit ultimatum to global trading partners, including major buyers such as China and India. “If you insist on doing business with them, then the US Treasury and US government will put its full might and force against you,” Bessent declared arrogantly. “It’s time for our allies and the rest of the world to make a decision.” 

 Iranian officials quickly dismantled Washington's posture, exposing the domestic crises propelling Trump's theatrical announcements...

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