Shippingtelegraph: Trump warns ship registries to be target of ‘Economic D-Day’

Published by shippingtelegraph

US president Donald Trump on Thursday issued a stern warning to any nation thinking about offering a lifeline to Iran after announcing the launch of a U.S. operation he likened to an “Economic D-Day.”

In his announcement on Thursday, Trump listed several activities that he said needed to stop immediately, including “oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries, front companies.”

“It all needs to stop NOW. You know who you are,” Trump said of those who continue to trade with or maintain economic ties with Iran. “This will be an ECONOMIC D-DAY, and we need all of our Allies to stand with the United States of America to isolate, and defeat, the Iran threat.”

The US president wrote in all capital letters on Truth Social that he was launching “the most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country,” without providing further details or the names of any nation other than Iran.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said that “this will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale.”

“No one has given the Islamic Republic of Iran a greater opportunity to make a Deal than me,” and that “TRAGICALLY, for them, they have failed to take it,” the president said.

He said any country whose financial institutions, businesses, airports, or government entities offer Iran a “lifeline” will face what he described as tremendous economic consequences.

It comes after the ceasefire formally expired last week without any sign of a diplomatic settlement to the war the US and Israel began at the end of February.

In response to Trump’s post, the Chinese foreign ministry told reporters that “sanctions and pressure tactics are not the solution.”

Speaking with reporters, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian was asked about a comment on this economic warfare approach that Trump is threatening and how it might impact China, given that the country buys a large amount of Iran’s oil.

“China calls on parties to act responsibly and stick to the political and diplomatic approach,” Lin Jian told reporters.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Trump’s latest post was “a diversion” from America’s own economic problems.

“Doubling down on failed policies will only bring further defeat – and enmity of Iranians. US economic terrorism threatens global economy and sovereignty worldwide,” he wrote on X.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday severed all financial and economic ties with Iran, citing a military escalation by Tehran with missile fire.

The United Arab Emirates halted all trade, commercial exchanges and financial transactions with Iran until further notice amid regional escalations that it said are undermining regional and international peace and security.

No timeframe for the resumption of trade, commercial exchanges or financial transactions was provided in the statement.

United Arab Emirates on Tuesday said its air defense systems detected a missile threat towards the country and urged the public to remain in a safe location and follow warnings and updates issued through official channels.

A second statement released later by the ministry of defence said two ballistic missiles launched from Iran “were targeting maritime navigation and fell into the sea.”

The ministry of defence reaffirmed its readiness to respond to any threats and to resolutely counter any attempts to undermine the security of the country or the safety of maritime navigation in the region.