President Donald Trump on Wednesday declared what he called an “ECONOMIC D-DAY” against Iran, unveiling an unprecedented operation to dismantle the country’s shadow economy and vowing severe consequences for any nation or business that continues to provide financial lifelines to the regime.
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump criticized Iran for refusing to engage in negotiations, signaling an end to diplomatic overtures. He wrote that no one had offered Iran a better deal than he had, but that the regime “TRAGICALLY” failed to seize the opportunity. He then announced the launch of what he described as the “MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY,” aimed at crippling Tehran’s ability to finance international terrorism.
Trump also issued a stark warning to foreign governments and businesses engaged in covert financial dealings with Iran, stating that any country allowing its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities to provide a lifeline to Iran would face “TREMENDOUS Economic Consequences.” He called on allies to join in isolating the regime.
The announcement comes amid reports of Iran’s economy being in a severe downturn. According to exchange-rate monitor Bonbast, the Iranian rial has collapsed to 1,374,600 rials per US dollar on the open market. Over the past two decades, the currency has lost more than 99% of its purchasing power, compared to an exchange rate of 9,200 rials per dollar in 2006. Tehran’s official rate of 42,000 rials per dollar is seen as largely symbolic, masking the true economic strain.
Targeting the Sanctions Evasion Network
The president’s new operation takes direct aim at the illicit networks that have helped Iran bypass international sanctions. A report by the legal firm Holland & Knight detailed how Iran has relied on a web of intermediaries and front companies to sustain its economy.
Entities in China and Hong Kong play a central role in purchasing discounted crude oil and routing payments through shell companies. Logistics hubs in Dubai and the UAE are used to conceal funds and manage Iran’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers. Meanwhile, Malaysia and Singapore serve as transit points for relabeling Iranian oil as “Malaysian Blend,” and countries like Panama and Cameroon allow tankers to operate under flags of convenience. Trade intermediaries in Russia, Türkiye, and Venezuela facilitate cash transfers, energy swaps, and trade in physical gold.
By targeting these shadow-banking schemes, corporate front companies, and ship-to-ship oil transfers, the Trump administration aims to cut off the financial faucet entirely, according to the Daily Wire’s report.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/economic-d-day-trump-announces-unprecedented-operation-to-crush-irans-shadow-economy