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- Haydari Nazar
34
The Economic Pressure Trump Is Referring to Against Iran — What Does It Look Like?
Haydari Nazar
34
The Economic Pressure Trump Is Referring to Against Iran — What Does It Look Like?
Trump’s talk about “economic pressure” has now become more specific than it was a few days ago. As of August 20, 2026, it appears that Washington is shifting from focusing on military strikes toward gradually strangling the Iranian economy, rather than immediately entering another larger military round.
What Does Trump Mean by Economic Pressure?
There are several layers:
1. Targeting Iran’s Oil Exports
Oil is Iran’s most important source of foreign currency. Therefore, Washington is trying to reduce Tehran’s ability to sell oil, particularly to China, by targeting companies, intermediaries, and refineries that purchase Iranian oil. The U.S. administration has specifically considered imposing sanctions on independent Chinese refineries and even on Chinese banks if they are found to facilitate Iranian payments.
2. Choking Financial Channels
The U.S. Treasury has previously targeted more than 1,000 individuals and entities linked to Iran, with a focus on oil, cryptocurrencies, and financing networks.
The new strategy is to move from pursuing one company here and one individual there toward attempting to strike the entire financial network.
3. Pressuring Countries That Deal with Iran
This is the most dangerous aspect of Trump’s recent statements.
Trump said that any country providing Iran with financial, commercial, or logistical assistance would face severe economic consequences. In other words, sanctions would not be directed only at Iran; they could also extend to companies, banks, and countries that assist it.
And this is where China becomes the real test of U.S. policy.
4. The UAE Is Particularly Important
The UAE has been an important commercial and financial gateway for Iran.
Recent analyses indicate that around one-third of Iran’s imports came through the UAE, and that a significant portion of Iranian foreign-currency flows passed through it. Therefore, closing this channel would put heavy pressure on Iran’s ability to import goods and transfer the proceeds of its exports.
For this reason, the UAE’s recent decision to halt commercial and financial relations with Iran, if it continues, would represent a real economic blow to Tehran, rather than merely a political measure.
5. The Naval Blockade
This point is different from sanctions.
Sanctions say:
“Do not do business with Iran.”
A naval blockade, in practical terms, says:
“Even if Iran finds a buyer, we will make it more difficult for ships to reach its ports.”
This could affect both exports and imports. Reports say that the United States is using the naval blockade together with sanctions as part of an attempt to suffocate Iran’s energy sector.
But Can These Measures Bring Down the Iranian Economy?
Weakening the economy: Yes, severely.
Forcing Iran to surrender: Not certain.
This is where I differ somewhat from Trump’s assessment.
Iran has already lived under sanctions for decades, and as a result it has developed:
– Alternative trade networks.
– Front companies.
– Oil intermediaries.
– Trade with China, Russia, and neighboring countries.
– Financial channels outside the Western system.
– An economy capable of functioning partially despite sanctions.
The Reuters report I referred to indicates that the strategy of pursuing Iranian networks in a “hit one network and another appears” manner has achieved limited results over the long term.
And Here Lies the Major Paradox
Trump says that Iran does not have enough money and that inflation and economic pressure will force it to retreat.
But if America tries to suffocate Iran to the maximum extent, the opposite could happen:
Iran tightens its control over the Strait of Hormuz → oil prices rise → the global economy suffers → China and India pressure Washington → America itself bears part of the cost of the crisis.
This is why sanctions are not a cost-free weapon.
Today, following Trump’s latest statements, Brent crude rose above $94 per barrel, while maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained disrupted.
Therefore, I Believe the Real Battle Now Is China
If the United States manages to say:
“Iran will not be allowed to sell its oil to China,”
and China agrees, the pressure would be enormous.
But if China says:
“I will continue buying Iranian oil despite the sanctions,”
Washington would face two bad choices:
Either accept the continued flow of money to Iran, or impose sanctions on Chinese companies and banks.
The second option could transform the war with Iran into a U.S.–China economic crisis.
And that may be more dangerous than the Iranian war itself.
Conclusion
Trump is now attempting to achieve through economic pressure what he was unable to achieve through military force:
To force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and make concessions by economically exhausting it.
And there are people who are listening to his position.
But the success of this strategy depends on three key factors:
Iranian oil → China → Strait of Hormuz.
If Iran can maintain an oil-export channel to China, obtain foreign currency through alternative channels, and continue to exercise control over maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, then economic pressure could turn from a weapon intended to force Iran into a long war of attrition between Washington and Tehran.
And this is the scenario I consider more dangerous for Trump:
Iran does not collapse, America cannot decisively end the war, China continues buying Iranian oil, and the Strait of Hormuz remains an Iranian pressure card.
Final Conclusion
Ultimately, the winner is Iran through wisdom, steadfastness, and resilience.*.