Trump threatens economic punishment on 'any country' helping Iran

WASHINGTON: United States President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (Aug 19) he was launching a major new campaign to target Iran's economy, threatening "tremendous" punishment on any country that helps or does business with the Islamic Republic.The intensified economic pressure campaign comes as the war nears its sixth month with no immediate diplomatic or military off-ramp in sight.Trump is also facing renewed domestic political scrutiny over the war with November elections quickly approaching."Today, I am announcing the MOST CRUSHING ECONOMIC OPERATION EVER TAKEN AGAINST ANY COUNTRY! This will be Economic Warfare and Isolation on an unprecedented scale," Trump wrote on Truth Social."I am also announcing that ANY country that allows its financial institutions, businesses, airports, or gov