Trump’s Attempt to Strangle Iran’s Economy Depends on China’s Cooperation
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-08-24 20:10:00 — www.nytimes.com
Trump’s Iran Gamble: From Failed Bombing to “Economic D-Day”
President Trump’s approach to Iran has taken another dramatic turn, as he and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent launched what the White House calls “an unprecedented campaign to sever every remaining economic lifeline sustaining the Islamic Republic of Iran.” This new strategy, dubbed Operation Economic Outcast, comes after a costly military intervention that failed to achieve its stated goals.
A Departure from Traditional Strategy
Ordinarily, U.S. administrations have relied on diplomacy and escalating sanctions before considering military action. Trump, however, moved from a brief diplomatic effort directly to bombing runs, aiming to force Iran to relinquish its 11 tons of enriched uranium and potentially topple the government. The attacks failed, resulting in the deaths of 18 Americans, hundreds or thousands of Iranians, and a financial cost estimated by independent analysts at over $100 billion.
Trump’s Shift: From Military Force to Economic Pressure
After the military campaign did not yield the expected “unconditional surrender,” Trump abandoned his earlier call for the Iranian people to rise up against their government, later admitting in a New York Times interview that they lacked the means to do so. Now, the administration is banking on economic strangulation, with Bessent describing the effort as a “sustained operation to collapse every last option for Iran.”
Questions and Contradictions
The administration’s new plan raises critical questions. If sanctions this severe were possible, why were they not used before military action exposed U.S. vulnerabilities? And with China purchasing more than 80 percent of Iran’s oil exports, the White House has not addressed whether it is prepared to confront Beijing, a key player in the global economy.
Earlier in the year, Trump faced a choice: pressure China or blockade Iranian tankers. According to experts, he chose the latter to avoid jeopardizing his economic agenda with China. Despite threats of “secondary sanctions” on nations trading with Iran, Bessent notably avoided mentioning China, highlighting the administration’s reluctance to escalate tensions with Beijing.
A Record of Unfulfilled Promises
Trump’s record on Iran is marked by reversals and unmet expectations. He tore up the 2015 nuclear accord, reinstated sanctions, and predicted Iran’s leaders would buckle under economic pressure. Yet, Iran continued to export oil until the recent blockade, and its nuclear material remains in place, despite U.S. bombings.
Trump’s initial belief that military action would quickly lead to regime change proved unfounded. He later acknowledged the Iranian people were unable to overthrow their government, contradicting his earlier rhetoric.
Conclusion
President Trump’s Iran policy has been characterized by abrupt shifts, costly miscalculations, and unfulfilled promises. After bypassing traditional diplomatic and economic steps in favor of military action—with devastating consequences—he has returned to sanctions as a last resort. The administration’s latest gamble, Operation Economic Outcast, faces significant obstacles, not least of which is the unresolved question of how to deal with China’s role in sustaining Iran’s economy. As Trump’s strategy continues to evolve, the costs and risks remain high, with no clear end in sight.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/us/politics/trump-bessent-iran-economic-d-day.html