US Launches 'Operation Economic Fury' Against Iran, Pivoting from Military Threats to Economic Blockade

16:17 - 13.08.2026


August 13, Fineko/abc.az. Cautious about entering an unpopular war, US President Donald Trump and top officials are shifting their Iran strategy toward aggressive financial pressure and a naval blockade to choke off oil exports, aiming to force Tehran into submission.

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz highlighted that "Operation Economic Fury," spearheaded by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, is severely crippling the Iranian economy. President Trump echoed this approach, stating the US is closely monitoring Iran's soaring inflation and dwindling monetary reserves.

In response to stalled negotiations, Iran has restructured its military leadership for a prolonged regional conflict. General Mohammad Reza Naqdi of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) revealed that recent top-level military appointments by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei signal a transition toward an "offensive doctrine."