‘Tremendous costs’: Can Trump stop other countries from trading with Iran?
US President Donald Trump has announced a major economic campaign against Iran, threatening sanctions on any nation that continues to trade with the country. Iranian officials have dismissed the threats as a diversion from domestic US economic issues.
Why it matters
This escalation signals a significant shift in US-Iran relations that could disrupt global oil markets and international trade alliances.
Iran’s foreign minister has dismissed Trump’s latest threats, calling them a “diversion” from America’s own crisis.”
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info A man waves an Iranian flag at Valiasr Square in central Tehran [File: Atta Kenare/AFP] By Priyanka Shankar Published On 20 Aug 2026 20 Aug 2026 US President Donald Trump has announced what he describes as the “most crushing economic operation” against Iran, as Washington ramps up pressure on Tehran and talks to end the war between the two countries continue to stall.
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said Iran had “failed to take” the opportunity to make a deal, and would face “economic warfare and isolation on an unprecedented scale”.
He also threatened sanctions against any country that does business with Iran.
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