Donald Trump began his day with a tirade.
The 80-year-old president is preparing to launch a new wave of economic sanctions against Iran and its allies, after nearly six months of military setbacks against the Middle Eastern nation.
“IRAN IS COMPLETELY COLLAPSING!!!” he screamed on Truth Social at 8.41 a.m. on Monday, which his Treasury Secretary has called “economic D-Day.”
Scott Bisent is expected to announce new “secondary” sanctions against entities trading with Iran. According to a source cited by Reuters, these sanctions aim to cripple the Iranian economy.
In an opinion piece published Sunday in the Financial Times, Bisent wrote: “President Donald Trump and the overwhelming power of our armed forces have significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities and its nuclear program. We are now entering the final phase.” At dawn, Economic Victory Day begins: the largest financial offensive ever launched against an adversary.
“In short, these countries consider appeasement of the regime the safest path,” Bisent added, in a threatening tone. “But they would do well to consider the consequences of persisting down this path… The alternative for those who align themselves with Tehran is to cut themselves off from any prospect of lasting prosperity.”
The US administration hopes that by forcing countries supporting Iran to sever their ties with Tehran, it can end the war.
Trump arrived at the White House promising to withdraw the United States from foreign interventions, but now finds himself mired in a Middle East war costing at least $37.5 billion that has claimed the lives of 18 Americans.
This conflict has also severely tested the crews of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, amidst extremely difficult working conditions during a grueling mission that has lasted for more than 250 days, since the first bombs were dropped on February 28.
The war has also raised concerns about dwindling ammunition stocks.
The high cost of offensive weapons and interceptor aircraft is a major source of concern. While the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) emphasizes the need to avoid any supply shortages during the conflict, this could have serious consequences for the United States’ ability to conduct future wars.
Pressure remains high on the White House to end the war. With the midterm elections approaching, the economy is a central concern, but polls indicate that Americans are dissatisfied with Trump’s actions so far.
For the first time in nearly ten years, Democrats are preferred to Republicans in economic management. This situation worries Republicans, who fear that these elections could turn into a referendum on Trump, potentially costing them seats in Congress.
The war in Iran is only making matters worse. In addition to the colossal sums spent on armaments, the purchasing power crisis in the United States is exacerbated by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, directly linked to rising fuel prices and anticipated costs due to fertilizer delivery delays.
