The United States is preparing additional, unprecedented economic measures targeting Iran, as President Donald Trump says the aim is to pressure Tehran to capitulate amid an ongoing conflict that has lasted nearly six months. Trump says the US is preparing to hit Iran’s economy hard, according to reports.
In comments to Fox News, Trump also downplays the importance of the timing of any changes to the conflict relative to the upcoming US midterm elections. He indicates he does not mind whether the fighting ends before November, suggesting that voter perceptions of the economy will be the key political factor. Reported US planning reflects efforts to find leverage while the administration has struggled to identify a clear path to an off-ramp.
Bloomberg and the South China Morning Post describe the same central development: the US is moving toward intensified economic pressure on Iran, with Trump framing the measures in economic terms and portraying midterm considerations as secondary to the strategy.
