Trump threatens to hit Iran’s economy hard

US President Donald Trump has threatened to inflict severe economic damage on Iran, raising the prospect of intensified sanctions. The warning comes as Washington reviews its approach to Tehran, with options including tighter enforcement of existing sanctions and new penalties on sectors such as oil and banking.

NDTV reports that the Trump administration has varying degrees of closeness with all neighbouring countries except Afghanistan, whose mountainous border remains extremely difficult to patrol. This geographic reality limits options for a complete blockade but does not preclude further economic pressure through financial measures.

The specific steps Trump might take remain unclear, but past patterns suggest targeting Iran's crude exports and access to international banking systems. Any escalation would likely face pushback from European allies and could further strain diplomatic channels.