Dorothy

The U.S. on Monday announced an "economic D-Day" campaign against Teheran, threatening countries that do business with the Islamic Republic, shifting its focus from military action to economic pressure.

Friday marks six months since the U.S. and Israel launched "major combat operations" in Iran, prompting retaliatory strikes on targets across the Gulf and sparking a new war in the Middle East.

Earlier this week, Oman and Iran discussed a proposal to establish a temporary joint shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz as well as a mission to clear mines from the key oil export corridor.

As the conflict grinds on, Trump’s talk of finding a quick end to the war also appears to be fading. He stressed this week that he’s “not in a hurry” to get Iran back to the negotiating table, and he continues making the case that the Islamic Republic’s leadership is on the ropes.

But it remains to be seen how far the administration is willing to go. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week unveiled a campaign the White House calls “Operation Economic Outcast,” but only issued warnings to nations to cut trade and has yet to announce any secondary sanctions. Bessent told reporters the administration wanted countries to have a chance to shift away from Iran before it was too late — and acknowledged there was economic risk to the U.S., too, in moving ahead.