Iran and China denounce Trump's announcement of an unprecedented economic war and isolation

Iran and China expressed their denunciation of US President Donald Trump's announcement of an unprecedented campaign of "economic war and isolation" against Tehran, while Beijing warned against imposing more sanctions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said that Trump's announcement aims to distract attention from the problems in the United States, pointing to the highest debt ratio the country has witnessed historically.

Araqchi wrote on the X platform, “Adhering to failed policies will only lead to more defeat and hostility for the Iranians. American economic terrorism threatens the global economy and sovereignty around the world.” On the other hand, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said that “sanctions and pressure will not help in resolving the problem,” calling for a political and diplomatic solution.

In light of the lack of progress in negotiations with Tehran, Trump announced in a post on the Truth Social platform: “The most powerful economic operation ever launched against any country.” Trump added: "This will be economic war and isolation on an unprecedented scale." If Trump goes through with his threats, China will be the most affected. It is Iran's largest trading partner and the main buyer of its oil exports.

Donald Trump threatened to impose "severe" economic consequences on "any country" that helps Iran or does business with it, in a move that reflects an escalation of the economic pressure exerted by Washington on the Islamic Republic after months of war. Trump wrote on his platform, Truth Social, “I announce today that any country that allows its financial institutions, companies, airports, and government agencies to provide any form of lifeline to Iran will face dire economic consequences.”

In his lengthy post, Trump asserted that Tehran “did not know how to seize the great opportunity” to conclude an agreement. “Therefore, I announce the most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country!” he wrote, referring to “an unprecedented economic war.” He continued, directing his words to countries suspected of helping Iran, without naming them: “oil smuggling, currency exchange, cash transfers, exchange offices, ship registries, fake companies... All of this must stop now.”

The US President did not provide details about the measures or sanctions that he would impose. Last week, US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent threatened Iran with economic isolation "the likes of which the world has never seen." Since the outbreak of the war with a US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, Tehran has practically closed the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for global energy supplies and maritime trade. Washington responded by imposing a naval blockade on Iran's ports.