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US President Donald Trump announced what he described as the "most crushing economic operation ever" targeting Iran, signaling a sharp escalation of economic pressure on Tehran. Trump also warned that any country that continues to trade with Iran would "face tremendous economic consequences," indicating an intent to enforce secondary sanctions against third-party states and firms doing business with the Islamic Republic. The announcement comes amid an already tense standoff, with US-Iran talks stalled and the Strait of Hormuz closed to shipping as Tehran demands Washington implement commitments including the lifting of a naval blockade. Details of the specific measures, their timing, and the mechanisms for enforcement were not immediately spelled out. The threat of secondary consequences for trading partners would extend the pressure campaign well beyond Iran itself, potentially affecting major buyers of Iranian oil and regional intermediaries.