Economic Sanctions

The Qatari Prime Minister met with senior officials in Tehran to urge diplomacy, but the White House clarified that no negotiations are taking place and that the economic pressure campaign continues. Meanwhile, NATO is sounding the alarm over a critical shortage of Patriot missiles, fearing the alliance could be exposed to Russian strikes.

After months of military strikes, the US President returns to the "maximum pressure" policy and identifies Tehran's weak point: the economy. With 66% inflation and an 86% drop in oil exports, the Iranian regime is facing a deep crisis.

In the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, they are working around the clock to bring grain and medicine into the country, but residents have no way to purchase basic products. Iranian officials continue to deny the economic crisis: "The situation is under control." At the same time, there are reports of a 150% increase in meat prices.

World press headlines: The success of Trump's economic pressure on Iran depends on the ability to cut off Iranian financial channels through Dubai; the German Chancellor condemns Itamar Ben Gvir's statements and changes position; and in Sweden, a Muslim Minister of Education wears a Star of David in the face of rising antisemitism. Globes presents a daily short review of interesting news from the...

The Iranian Foreign Minister criticized Donald Trump's announcement, calling it a "distraction from US debt and rising interest rates." He warned the US President that his threats of "economic terrorism" would lead to "another defeat" against Iran. A senior Iranian parliamentary official threatened a withdrawal from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The US President announced a new economic operation against Iran, which he described as the 'most crushing in history.' He did not provide details, but threatened that any country that cooperates with the Islamic Republic — whether through its airports or shell companies — will face economic consequences.

Inflation in Iran is skyrocketing, trade with key partners is plummeting, and fuel shortages are worsening. In Washington, plans are underway to further tighten the naval blockade, expand sanctions, and target the financial assets of the IRGC. A senior official in the Iranian Chamber of Commerce warns: "We do not have the capacity to cope with a severe naval blockade for more than three months."

Dr. Udi Levy, former head of the 'Tzelem' unit in the Mossad, explains how the American administration is shifting the campaign to the financial arena: "They want that for every dollar the Iranians earn, they will only have ten cents left. If Trump gets his hands on the private assets of the Revolutionary Guards leaders, they will end the war."

Iran is demanding surrender terms - but the US president is not yet returning to explicit escalation threats, claiming that it is possible to "go with the flow" until the siege and sanctions bring victory: "I control their money, I am their banker!". In the background: the currency is at a low, the economy is shrinking at the largest scale in 38 years - and the "misery index" that combines...

Donald Trump prefers at this stage to exert economic pressure on Iran rather than start a new round of fighting. At the same time, contacts regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz are becoming complicated, and Tehran is setting new demands as a condition for an agreement.