# Trump threatens Iran’s trade partners as military strikes give way to economic pressure

https://mins.news/en/item/26942

- The Guardian, 2026-08-20 04:53 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/20/trump-threatens-crush-iran-economy-war-hormuz

> Donald Trump announced what he called the most crushing economic operation against Iran, warning countries whose institutions, businesses, airports or governments provide Tehran with a lifeline of severe consequences. The unspecified measures could target Iranian oil buyers and provoke a confrontation with China, Iran’s biggest trading partner, after military strikes failed to bring Tehran back to talks.

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