Trump described the planned campaign as an "economic D-Day” and said it would become the most severe economic operation imposed against any country, though he did not immediately announce specific measures beyond existing sanctions.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump warned that countries allowing financial institutions, companies, airports or government bodies to assist Iran would face what he called "tremendous economic consequences.” He also demanded action against oil smuggling, swap arrangements, cash transfers, currency exchanges, vessel registrations and shell companies connected to Tehran.

Asked by reporters earlier Wednesday what additional economic tools Washington could deploy, Trump said the United States had "new things” available for sanctions. "We have very severe sanctions, and we’ll see what happens,” he said, linking the pressure campaign to efforts to reduce oil prices and force changes in Iran’s position.

A Diplomat News Network review of the administration’s public statements shows the latest warning follows Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s announcement last week that Washington was preparing measures intended to deepen Iran’s economic isolation. Bessent said further announcements were expected and described the planned steps as unprecedented.

The escalation comes after a 60-day deadline under a June memorandum between Washington and Tehran expired Monday without publicly announced progress toward an agreement or the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway normally carries roughly one-fifth of global petroleum consumption, making continued disruption a significant concern for international energy markets.

China remains Iran’s largest trading partner, leaving Beijing particularly exposed to any expansion of U.S. secondary sanctions targeting companies, financial institutions or intermediaries handling Iranian commerce. Tehran also maintains economic links across the Middle East, while longstanding sanctions have sharply constrained its trade with Europe.

Diplomatic uncertainty has accompanied the economic pressure. Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, has characterized back-channel contacts as "positive and active,” but Tehran has denied that such communications are taking place. Trump has separately said there are no negotiations currently underway.

The White House has tied a permanent ceasefire to ending Iran’s nuclear program, a condition Tehran has rejected. The administration is now relying increasingly on economic isolation and maritime pressure to alter Iran’s calculations after nearly six months of conflict.

The effectiveness of the strategy will depend heavily on enforcement beyond Iran itself, particularly against overseas financial, shipping and commercial networks. Any broad application of secondary penalties could reshape Iran’s remaining trade channels and intensify the economic stakes surrounding efforts to restore unrestricted navigation through Hormuz.