The economic Armageddon against the Pasdaran

Last Tuesday, US President Donald Trump spoke on the telephone with his Emirati counterpart, Mohammed bin Zayed. A few hours later, the air-raid siren sounded in Dubai and the air defences intercepted two missiles from the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed at the country. In response, the UAE announced the suspension of financial and economic transactions with Iran, a painful measure that may only be the beginning, as Trump has long been pressing the UAE to take action to crack down on the Iranian financial network operating in the country, which enables imports and the circumvention of sanctions – the US President likely elaborated on his request during his most recent telephone call with bin Zayed, which was followed by the attack from Tehran.

The Wall Street Journal has learnt from Emirati sources that Trump believes targeting funds linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would have a more decisive impact on the regime than a US naval blockade of Iranian ports. Trump announced on his social media platform Truth the launch of an operation to crush Iran economically; once again, he cannot do this alone, but he can pressure certain countries to assist him. The UAE is essential and can deal a severe blow to the Pasdaran in particular, as they are the ones who primarily use Emirati channels; however, in marking the shift from “Epic Fury” to “Economic Fury”, Trump wrote: “Today I announce that ANY country that allows its financial institutions… to provide support to Iran will face ENORMOUS consequences.” The US President added that oil smuggling, money transfers and front companies “must all end NOW. You know who I’m referring to.” He is referring to the Emirates, but to put an end to Iran’s oil revenues, it is primarily China that must take action, and so far the United States has always refused to do so. Iran knows this and does not take the threats seriously.