trump’s “Economic War” on Iran — Strategy or self-sabotage?

U.S. President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, announced what he called the

“strongest economic operation ever”

against any country, threatening unprecedented economic isolation against Iran.

Trump said countries whose banks, companies, airports or government institutions provide support to Iran will face

“severe economic consequences.”

He also demanded an end to Iranian oil smuggling, barter networks, money transfers, exchange offices, shipping registries and shell companies.

He called on U.S. allies to join Washington in isolating and defeating Iran, claiming that

“these crazy people” are on the verge of collapse

and that the measures will “cripple” Iran and eliminate its ability to

“spread terrorism around the world.”

He also reiterated:

“Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.”

But here is the problem:

Economic war can become economic self-sabotage.

Trying to choke Iran’s oil trade risks disrupting energy markets, shipping routes and global supply chains — ultimately pushing up prices for consumers far beyond Iran.

Sanctions do not equal capitulation.

After decades of sanctions, Tehran has developed alternative trade channels, shadow shipping networks, barter mechanisms and non-dollar financial routes.

Washington can increase the cost of doing business with Iran.

But pain is not the same as surrender.

And the biggest strategic risk?

The more Washington weaponizes sanctions and threatens third countries, the stronger the incentive becomes for Iran, China, Russia and much of the Global South to build systems designed to bypass U.S. financial power.

Trump says Iran is on the verge of collapse.

The real question is whether this “economic war” will collapse Iran—or accelerate the erosion of the economic order Washington itself built.